Dear AIR-ers - [perhaps this will apply, hoping not to fan the flames here] I wrote a slideshow last year called: "WHAT the *&^!$# is internet research? & HOW the ^*#$# does it work?" I noted the difference between googling something and internet research had to do with the nature of the inquiry (I believe some others have said this). Internet research pursues inquiries that are both: * focused * sustained vs. flinging something into google and hoping for illumination on the spot Further, the research process itself demands three things: * examines the questions that are asked * questions the methods used to frame the questions * finally, questions the answers received I don't mention science as qualitative research does this as well as other types of research. In the end, my definition revolved around questioning the answers as well as asking the questions. Hope this helps . . . . Denise Denise N. Rall, PhD thesis submitted, School of Environ. Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480 AUSTRALIA Tuesdays: Room T2.17, +61 (0)2 6620 3577 or Mobile 0427 245 497 http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/rsm/staff/pages/drall/ Virtual member, Cybermetrics Group, University of Wolverhampton, UK http://cybermetrics.wlv.ac.uk/index.html __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com