Helpful Research Websites

The Net is so saturated with information resources it can be an arduous task to find the perfect site. The info must be reliable and accessible in an attractive and well-designed framework. To better sift through the trash to find the gems, I have compiled my favourite research sites for various areas: countries, words, Canadiana, and the arts. From homework helpers to casual companions, these sites compliment any data journey requiring accurate facts.

ONE-STOP SPOTS

Refdesk
www.refdesk.com

The grandfather of Web resources, Refdesk should be bookmarked for anyone who wants info on anything. News junkies will benefit from the media resources section, while those digging for specific facts will revel in the hundreds of sites lining the home page. Multi-language translators and the stock quote lookup are especially useful.

Megasources
www.ryerson.ca/~dtudor/megasources.htm

Compiled by Ryerson University’s emeritus journalism professor Dean Tudor, Megasources has been rolling in the hits since 1994. The most striking aspect of the site is the “Finding Experts” section, linking users to 24 global sites for professional assistance. Besides a comprehensive list of massive gateways, Tudor’s site offers quick access to statistics, spreadsheets and government libraries.

THE ARTS

Internet Movie Database
www.us.imdb.com

More than 12 million movie lovers can’t be wrong. Attracting high-volume traffic is not surprising for a site that offers a searchable database of movies from the 1920s to present. Celebrity buffs will enjoy complete cast listings with director and writer filmographies. Trailers and video reviews add some pizzaz.

All Music Guide
www.allmusic.com

Although styled as a retail site, AMG’s All Music allows users to search bands, songs, label and styles. Musician profiles lists complete discography, personal history and fan commentary. Not sure which Beatles album had Rocky Raccoon? All Music knows all.

COUNTRIES

CIA World Factbook
www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

Even veteran researchers should consult the CIA’s Factbook for in-depth details on countries. Interested in New Zealand’s life expectancy (78 years old) or Spain’s Internet users (4.6 million)? The 2001 version of the respected Factbook is available online and competes with print versions of yearly almanacs. Reference maps are also available as PDF files.

Your Nation
www.your-nation.com

With facts taken from the Factbook, Your Nation enables researchers to compare data between two countries, or to find top-five ranking of various categories such as for population and budget revenues. The site’s only downfall is its four-year old information, but it still offers a unique service for statistical fiends.

CANADIANA

Civilization
www.civilization.ca

More of a link-to-links page than information site, Civilization includes resources on Canadian geography, history, archaeology, culture and more. Maps in both official languages round out the breadth of this site.

SEDAR
www.sedar.com

Business reporters drool over this powerhouse of corporate information. The searchable System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) includes company profiles, annual reports and daily filings. Web links zoom users to provincial securities commissions or national stock exchange sites.

WORDS

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
www.m-w.com

Any dictionary can provide definitions and etymological roots but Merriam-Webster goes the extra mile with audio pronounciation. It also features a thesaurus and word games.

MedTerms & Math Spoken
www.medterms.com
www.mathnstuff.com/math/spoken/here

For the aspiring doctor wondering what a laparotomy is, or for the math genius deciphering the complexity of a minor arc, these two specialty dictionaries offer exhaustive lists of their respective vocabularies. MedTerms also allows users to scan the latest health news, and Math Spoken keeps it visual with graphics of every term defined.

OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES

Extremely cool Human Anatomy Online
www.innerbody.com