Biology

Almost everyone has found bad information on the Internet at some point -- even if you didn't know it at the time. Because anyone can publish online, it's important to evaluate your sources before using them in an academic paper.

You can locate websites using Google or another search engine. Websites from government agencies (those with a URL ending in .gov) or educational institutionals (with a URL ending in .edu) are usually the most reliable regarding information to include in academic papers.

Some websites ending in .org can be good sources for your paper; however, keep in mind that these websites are often created in attempt to get you to donate money to an organization, and may use facts or information in a biased way.

Click on the following links to access reliable websites:

Found a website you want to use as a resource but aren't sure it's reliable? Use these criteria:

• Currency: The time the item was written. Is the information still true? Does your topic need only the most up-to-date information or would something a few years old be acceptable?
• Accuracy: The absence of errors and use of reliable information. Is the information correct? Does the source make claims you can prove? Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?

• Authority: The qualifications of the writer. What makes him/her an expert on the topic? This can apply to both a person and an organization.

• Objectivity: The reason or reasons the item was written. To inform you about the issue? To persuade you to buy something? To entertain?

• Coverage: The information provided by the item. Does this source answer the questions I have? Does it contribute new or different information to my research paper? Does the item present just one side of an issue or a very small piece of a larger picture?

Still aren't sure a source is reliable? Ask a librarian. We can help you evaluate a website or point you toward another credible source if necessary.

Wikipedia can be a good place to start your research when you know nothing about a topic. Occasionally, you can even find good sources among the References and External Links listed on Wikipedia pages -- where the Wikipedia authors found out their information.

However, it is rarely acceptable to use Wikipedia as a source in an academic paper. Ask your instructor if you are unsure.