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Web based research – Legal and Corporate ACTU Industrial Officers Conference, North Sydney, 25 July 2006 For our purposes its most useful to assume that the internet includes all the information we need. I will mention some history and some limitations along the way. Speed! Instant information! The two major concerns about the internet is the currency and authority of information you are seeking. The dates on material are often hard to find. Are we to assume this is the most up to date information? The authority of material you seek often depends on the current political climate. Whether it is Commercial, Academic or from a Community organisation you will need to make a judgement on their reputation based on your experience. Corporate information is treated with care if the source is unknown or dubious. It is assumed that the most expensive information is correct and relevant. Some physical annoyances relate to the technology itself. How to get around the web sites, the amount of information that can be read on a computer screen. When do you need to print out a large document? Websites change and evolve and sometimes disappear. Whether it has been renewed or renovated change is a constant on the net. The Internet has provided an opportunity for important documents to be digitised and made available for free. Eg High Court decisions. But for some legal areas there is nothing prior to the late 1980s. Current information only. It is expensive to digitise and load historical documents. For industrial relations that may not be very useful. Proposals for archiving the web are gaining momentum and now even citation in decisions has become accepted. Recently an AIRC Commissioner cited a web site. Information is managed. Search engines index websites and now we can all google. www.google.com.au or a mega search engine like www.dogpile.com All substantial websites, Subject portals and blogs and related links. – some eg. Law portal – AEU, default to internet page, ATUA www.atua.org.au Use of language The language used to describe can indicate the politics of the speaker. For example. Is it Industrial Relations, Employee Relations, Human Relations? Are they the same? Be aware of IR jargon - ‘fair go all round’ is only used in Australia. If you are using a new website, ask for training, explanations, manuals and use them. Do the training! Interdisciplinary nature of Industrial Relations Trade unions, Labour Law, Employee Relations, Human Relations, Economics, Social, Political, OHS, Environment, Media, Corporate, Legislation, Case materials, Government, Statistics. Select list of sites as at July 2006 attached. A compilation of websites in fashion today. Websites change and evolve. Use these as a guide and add your favourites. What is the Question Analyse first – write it down until it comes as second nature. I have been asked for / need info on ……………………………………….. What are the key terms, context, limitations. How much do I know already? frames search terms / query terms It is needed for; workplace meeting, submission, advocacy, presentation to colleagues, speech to industry group. Tailor it to the listeners What are my time limits? When do you need it? Now! Yesterday! Case in a week. I really need…….. What do you need? Everything, I don’t know, I will know when I see it. ( types of information and level) Likeliest Information sources? Type of information first then titles. Can I get help? Who can you ask? Industrial co-ordinator, research person, librarian, information manager?