For general background: Use reference books. For scholarly articles: Use research databases. For vast info, verify later: Use search engines with caution. Prioritize credible sources like .edu, .gov, or reputable organizations.
* Sal would like some basic, reliable background information on a topic. - This is a good fit for a **reference book**. Reference books, like encyclopedias and dictionaries, provide concise overviews of topics and can be a good starting point for research.
* Sal would like to find evidence and articles by researchers themselves. - This is a good fit for an online research database. Online research databases, like JSTOR and Academic Search, provide access to scholarly articles, journals, and other academic resources.
* Sal would like a ton of information on a topic and he's willing to verify it all later. - This is a good fit for a search engine. Search engines can provide a lot of information on a topic from a variety of sources, but it's important to be critical of the information you find and to verify it from other sources.
* Sal would like to use an online search engine with credible sources of information. - This is a bit trickier, as search engines can provide results from a variety of sources, both credible and non-credible. However, there are a few things Sal can do to improve his chances of finding credible sources. First, he can look for websites that end in .edu or .gov, as these are typically from educational institutions or government agencies. Second, he can look for websites that are affiliated with well-respected organizations, such as the Smithsonian Institution or the Mayo Clinic. Finally, he can be critical of the information he finds and look for evidence to support the claims being made.