Research Beyong Google - 56 Authoritative, Invisible and Comprehensive Resources

Hi All,

The title says it all - lots of great (authoritative, invisible, comprehensive) resources for the inner research geek in all of us...click here for a bit of information about evaluating resources on the web.
Click on this link to learn about how to search the invisible web...sounds mysterious - its not though...
The site is OEDb - aka the Open Education Database.

Topics covered in the article include Deep Web Search Engines, Art, Books Online, Business, Consumer, Economic and Job Data, Finance and Investing, General Research, Government Data, International, Law and Politics, Library of Congress, Medical and Health, STEM and Transportation.
Quite a wide variety of topics that's for sure. 

Next to each link there is a very brief - about 1-2 sentences - summary of the resource.  Then a direct link to the site.  Quick and easy and no muss and no fuss. 

One thing - the page was generated in 2013 so be aware that some - probably not very many though - sites are not working.  Most are...but still.  Your mileage might vary but the resources are well worth the time you'll spend finding the information elsewhere.

Now...go search and check out these great resources.

Regards,
Stu

Charity Navigator - Your Guide to Intelligent Giving

Hi All,

Charity Navigator - Your Guide to Intelligent Giving.  The name says it all.

Basically the site helps users evaluate the charity(ies) that he/she is donating to.  The site has Top 10 Lists, Hot Topics, Tips for Donors, an A-Z Directory of charities and a list of 4-Star Charities.  Click on any of the links above to go to that part of the Charity Navigator site.

About a third of the way down on the sites' homepage there is a list of charities listed by categories like animals,  arts/culture/humanities, community development, education, environment, health, human services, international, human/civil rights, religion and research/public policy. Its a very useful way to find a charity based on a topic that is personally important to you.

Once users find a particular charity of interest, a huge amount of free information is available.  Financial and accountability information is graded and ranked by score and the number of stars respectively.  Financial performance measurements (expenses, administrative expenses, fundraising efficiency and more) are available.

In addition, the site has yes/no ratings for the following questions related to the charity in question:
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website regarding:
Donor privacy policy, Are board members listed?, Are audited financials listed? and are key staff listed?

An income statement for the specific charity is included on Charity Navigator, In addition a charity breakdown is included in the form of a pie chart.  Compensation of charity leader(s) and the mission statement of the charity is included as well.

So...if you are looking to donate time, money or resources to a charity it might behoove you to take a look at Charity Navigator.  It might help you and your donation go even further than you ever thought possible.

Enjoy the site!

Regards,
Stu