The fluid nature of the Internet allows for constant change, growth, and expansion. However, that means websites change and URLs stop working as content shifts, moves, or is deleted, which can cause problems for researchers, instructors, and students.
However, if you find a broken link, don't panic. There are several possible methods to recover the material.
Direct link
When selecting course content, it is best to include a direct link to the original website. This ensures that students are accessing the most up-to-date version of the material, that the work is properly attributed to its creators, that traffic is generated to their sites, and that their efforts are supported. Direct links also help students develop digital literacy skills by exposing them to the broader context of the resource. Additionally, links avoid potential copyright infringement issues that arise from unauthorized redistribution of downloaded content.
While direct links are good practice, it is also prudent to download backup copies of any necessary articles.
Back to the past
A useful tool for retrieving content from the Internet is the Internet Archive. Wayback Machinewhich stores snapshots of web pages over time going back more than 20 years. Simply enter the broken URL into Wayback Machine to see if a cached version of the page is available. This is often the best way to recover material lost due to a broken link.
Check for typos
Old links also stop working as expected for many reasons. The broken link can be due to a typo in the URL itself or a part of the URL being removed when copying or pasting. It is worth looking at the text of the URL itself. Sometimes https://www.techlearning.com/tag/resource-library is rewritten into something like https://www.techlearning.org/tag/resource-library either https://www.techlearning.com/resource-libraryA quick look can identify the correct URL and succinctly resolve the issue.
A more detailed search
Another way to do this is to do a Google search using the specific keywords from the article title or content. Type the exact title in quotation marks to narrow down the results. For example, search for “Exact title of article” to find other sites where the article might be located.
Sometimes it is convenient to consult citation databases such as Gate of research either Scopus will provide a copy of the article. These platforms often provide detailed citations or access to the full text of articles. Research Gate allows users to email an author for a copy of the full text if one still needs to be uploaded to the site.
Go around the walls
Those doing serious research should consider installing a browser extension like Remove the paywall either Lazy Scholar. These extensions can help find free versions of inaccessible articles by scanning multiple repositories. The LazyScholar extension searches multiple databases in the background, including Academic google, Dessimínand PubMed Center.
Go back to the old school
A non-technological option would be to ask a librarian or media specialist if you can obtain the article through interlibrary loan, or if perhaps there is a copy in a local library's collection. This may not be the most convenient option, but depending on your needs, it may be a good option.
Again, when creating resources for classes, instructors and researchers should include direct links to original websites for up-to-date access, attribute data correctly, and support content creators. If a link fails, there are tools such as Wayback Machine, search engines, and citation databases to retrieve the material. Additionally, downloading backup copies and consulting librarians can help ensure continued access to valuable resources.
Good luck!
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