The invisible web is a haven for all those treasured "traditional" resources you remember from the brick and mortar library.  These independent databases usually have their own internal search mechanism for retrieving documents they maintain.  Check out online libraries, professional associations, biographies, bibliographies, encyclopedias and the like online.  Look for publications by the author or organization in traditional formats, such as magazines and journals.  Checking online newspapers can substantiate even fresh data.  Be careful not to pick papers that are run by the same companies, because these share news services and thus the same stories.  When possible go for the global perspective; check papers from different countries, even continents.  Most have English translated options.

Back on the World Wide Web, now that search engines are beginning to index PDF files, more white papers and business documents are being made available online.  Look for comparable scientific reports to corroborate research findings.  Check official data tables against reports that claim the census numbers as # and the CDC says "".  Don't just take their word for it; be skeptical.  But don't chuck the whole thing as worthless; there is a great deal of valuable information just waiting for you to drop by.