A source is a source, of course, of course, unless the source is the famous internet? If you have a 'text' it is a valid 'source' if you cite it. If you are concerned that the citation will change, then you should make a personal archive of the source. The problem of ephemerality is the primary problem of internet citation.... we solve the problem of ephemerality with archives. In terms of any other concern, I'd be interested of learning of any concern about internet sources that is not found in paper sources too, to a greater or lesser degree. Much has been made of the issues of information literacy, the 'validity' of sources. However, the criteria for internet sources is no different than any other source. If you have a book, you have a book, if you have a pamphlet, you have a pamphlet, and if you have the crazed rantings of a neighborhood hero posted to a bulletin board in the local supermarket.... you might still find some truth. All these forms exist online and off, and it is not a question of the 'internet'. It is a question of judgement, critical thinking, and research design. In terms of 'official sources' as opposed to 'un-official' sources.. people study both, in huge quantities, your choice of data is not made, I think, on the basis of its origination, as much as the theory you put forth. If you are looking for papers from reputable journals that substantiate the validity of internet sources, I suggest looking in the period of 1998-2000, as that is when people were seeking that answer. On May 3, 2007, at 8:42 AM, Suzana Sukovic wrote:
Hello, I'd be very interested to hear what other people think, particularly people who don't see themselves as Internet researchers. Perceived problems with citing Internet sources in academic papers seem to go beyond dead links. Cheers, Suzana
At 02:19 PM 3/05/2007, joseph@gelfer.net wrote:
Hello list members
Can anyone point me in the direction of any peer-reviewed papers which argue for the "validity" of citing internet sources as complements to regular print sources?
Here's the context: I work in the area of Religious Studies. I like to cite church and religious organisation websites as an indicator of their positions on various contemporary issues. I also like to cite blogs of religious leaders who have significant public and publishing profiles, as these often contain some pretty impassioned content that may not make it through to "official" outlets.
Now I know some folks find using such online sources as unscholarly, even if alongside all the traditional print sources. So what I'm after are papers from reputable journals which make a good case for the use of such online sources. Having had a look around the only papers I can find in the general subject area are concerned with dead links/the percentage of URL references which can no longer be verified.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks, Joseph Gelfer.
www.gelfer.net
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