The first challenge comes from a patron level's comfort level with general computer usage. If they are not comfortable with computer or web browser basics, this instruction may be additional but is not our primary focus. An issue with our hypothetical situation is that no topic is specified. Since government websites are mentioned something that would reasonably have these types of resources as a potential reference, either statistics or things specifically about government.
I would recommend visits to sites in this order:
f ) Encyclopedia Brittanica.com subscription offered through library access
e) Encyclopedia.com
b) ProQuest or another electronic journal/newspaper index such as EBSCO
g) Subscription research databases offered through library access such as Facts on File, Gale, etc.
h) Government sponsored (.gov) data and information websites
d) LII.org
Starting with encyclopedias would help narrow the search. Then once the topic is narrowed articles can be found to help narrow the topic further. After that, research databases and statistics from government sites can support the other research (these types of materials do not make good primary research). Lii is last due to its wide variety of information, some more recent and relevant than others. Its quality seems less predictable though the sites are reputable.
I would not recommend the following since they often cannot be authenticated or verified by a reliable source:
a) Wikipedia
c) Searching via their favorite search engine
I agree, no Wikipedia. Ever. Search engines like Google for certain subjects possibly, because it can link them to reputable encyclopedia or government sites, but for sure not Wikipedia.
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