An Introduction to Online Research 1.08a and 5.08a

Why You Must Know ThisYou are one of the first internet generations.  Prior to the ubiquitous presence of the internet, academic study happened in a controlled environment, in which the amount, quality and type of information that was presented to students was carefully filtered.  That is, when it came time to do a research paper, you went to your schools library and used the books that that school put in there for your to write a research paper.

With the internet comes less censorship and more information.  This has its pros and cons.  It is a good thing because students are no longer as inhibited due to their geographical or socio-economic status.  Its a bad thing because no one polices the internet.  Furthermore this is perhaps the first and only assignment you'll read that will help you determine what type of internet research leads to good papers and in turn good college prep writing.  

Not All Sites Are The Same

If we were studying, let's say, European History during the Enlightenment, and we had to do a research paper, we could browse the internet for a number sites and make a site list, by simply using the google tool bar and picking from the first 2-3 pages of links.  Of these, sites some would be better than others, but in general many of the "facts" would overlap.  Dates of the Enlightenment would be roughly the same; it would fall between the Dark Ages and the Modern Era; and people and their achievements would, for the most part, be appear uncontested on the majority of online sites.  

You, however, are currently an apologetics student.  Finding good research from Christian websites can be difficult because by its very nature a religion is much more complicated than the telling of history.  It includes history, to be sure!  But is also includes heated arguments over the accuracy of such history, the relation of knowledge to spiritual development and many more difficult issues.  Since not all of these issues are important in an academic paper, you as an apologetic student researching need to be