Biology 231 - Research Methods

As a researcher, you will navigate a vast amount of information from a variety of sources, including but not limited to books, journals, and the Internet. Not everything you find is appropriate to use in your research paper.

You should aspire to become an expert on the topic of your choice, as a researcher, so you need to consider whether the information you are finding is reliable, valid, authoritative, relevant, and current.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Can the information be verified somewhere else?
• Does the information seem to be free of bias and emotion?
• Are there obvious spelling, grammar or presentation errors?

ALA Resolution on Access to Accurate Information (2017)