What is the main consequence of students using only the free Web for research activities?

Using only the free web for research activities often leads to less critical engagement with information. When students rely solely on freely available resources, they may encounter a wealth of information that is unverified, biased, or inaccurate. Since many free web sources lack editorial oversight, students might not develop the skills to critically evaluate the credibility and relevance of the information they find. This can hinder their ability to understand the nuances of research, discern quality sources from unreliable ones, and think critically about varying perspectives or arguments. Consequently, their overall ability to engage deeply and thoughtfully with research material diminishes, leading to a superficial understanding rather than a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.