3. Search the web
Deakin Library databases contain quality information sources that you will not find as efficiently via Google.
By searching in a Sustainable Regional Development database, you will retrieve more specific and reliable search results.
So, when is it okay to use Google?
- To find publicly available information, e.g., Government reports, authorised data or statistics such as by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
If you do need to search the web, Google has instructions to get you started.
Be aware!
Click on the flip cards below to view some reasons to be cautious when using Google and Google Scholar to search for relevant, credible, academic resources:
Is your information credible?
Government websites (.gov) and the websites of education institutions (.edu) are more credible than commercial websites (.com).
Personal blogs, online forums and Wikipedia are not authoritative sources, although they may give you a basic overview and understanding of a topic and provide links to more authoritative sources.
Helpful websites
Click on the plus (+) icons below for lists of Australian and international websites that are helpful in the discipline of Sustainable Regional Development.
Australian websites
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australia’s national statistical agency and an official source of independent, reliable information. We tell the real story of Australia, its economy and its people by bringing life and meaning to numbers.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics Statistical geography
Statistical geography allows users to understand, compare and analyse statistical data for informed decision making about all sorts of places from cities and suburbs to regional or Local Government areas. The ABS creates a variety of products that include location information.
- Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology is Australia
The Bureau of Meteorology is Australia's national weather, climate and water agency. Its expertise and services assist Australians in dealing with the harsh realities of their natural environment, including drought, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones. Through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice spanning the Australian region and Antarctic territory, the Bureau provides one of the most fundamental and widely used services of government.
- National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) (National Statement (2007), and as updated, consists of a series of guidelines made in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
- Nearmap
Nearmap provides current, high-resolution aerial imagery of urban and regional metro areas in Australia.
International websites
- Google Earth
Explore worldwide satellite imagery and 3D buildings and terrain for hundreds of cities. Zoom to your house or anywhere else, then dive in for a 360° perspective with Street View.
- Google Maps
Google Maps shows you information about the places you’re interested in, based on where you’re looking and what you’ve searched for.
- Google Advanced Search
Google Advance Search is a great resource to find Government reports and documents. Use search strategies to refine your results by URL domain, file type and keywords Try narrowing to PDF on gov.au domains for Australian Government documents.
- OECD Environmental indicators, modelling and outlooks
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an intergovernmental organisation originally establish to enable global economic growth. They provide global environmental indicators and modelling.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO was formed in the aftermath of two world wars out of a simple but firm conviction: political and economic arrangements between states are not enough to build lasting peace. We are developing new tools to fight new forms of racism and hate speech and building a more sustainable relationship between humans and the environment.
- Our World in Data
Our World in Data’s mission is to publish the research and data to make progress against the world’s largest problems.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
- Retraction Watch
A website that contains a database of retracted papers.