Evaluating Websites
Because so much information is now available online, websites are a huge category. Be sure you are using science or government websites. How can you tell?
Additionally, think about evaluating the overall quality of the website information, using many of the same techniques as news evaluation.
- Government websites use the .gov domain
- Science websites may use .edu, but they might also use .com or .org. .com and .org are not necessarily good or bad - you'll really need to pay attention to the information quality to prove your source is A. a science website and B. a quality, credible science website
- The government agency or educational/science organization should be easy to spot
- Google the organization - they should have a website, Wikipedia page, and be referenced in other sources
- Pay careful attention to the date
- Google a few things about the article or click around on the website
- Consider the length and scope. Is this a short pamphlet or a lengthier scientific article?
- Google Advanced SearchUse Google's Advanced Search to search within a particular domain (.gov, .edu) or a specific website.
Chemistry Government Websites
- PubChemSearch compounds, substances, bioactivities, chemical literature, patents, and data sources. From the National Library of Medicine.
- Chemistry WebBookFrom the National Institute of Standards and Technology, US Department of Commerce. Basic information on chemical structure, data, and references.
- National Institute of Standards and TechnologyConsider looking at publications or labs/major programs.
- National Science FoundationProvides many STEM grants. Also includes current events and news related to the results of these grants.
Depending on your topic and research questions, you may use various government information from agencies like the US Department of Agriculture, US Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, or Food and Drug Administration.
Science Websites
The resources below are examples. While the resources below will give you some ideas of quality science websites, there are many more out there. Peer-reviewed journals in chemistry may also have a website with a "news" or "blog" section. If you have any questions or want to talk more about potentially using a science website in your project, contact me or your professor.
- American Chemical SocietyExplore resources from professional organizations. While some content is only available to paid members, organizations like the ACS make many resources available for free on their websites.
- Chemistry Views"ChemistryViews is the science news magazine of Chemistry Europe, an organization of 16 European chemical societies. It informs about what is happening in the global chemistry community and has a strong focus on the people behind the science."
- ScienceQuality science news articles from trusted journalists and contributing editors, many of whom are working scientists and professors.
- Science NewsShort snapshots of current science research, usually accompanied by photographs.
