It is important to be aware that many websites are often not evaluated for quality, unlike databases.
Watch this video to learn more about evaluating websites (Created by Hartness Library CCV/Vermont Tech, 2012):
As we say in the library: "the good thing is anyone can create a website; the bad thing is anyone can create a website." The quality of resources on the Web varies greatly and it's up to you to assess the sources and information you find. Here are some criteria to consider:
When researching any subject, you must think carefully about any potential bias that may skew the information.
Examples above are from: Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research by Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
In the case of at-risk plants, things to consider and be aware of include:
Google is a very powerful search engine, and it's getting better at allowing you to refine searches.
The limitation of Google, is that it searches everything - good and bad - and it's up to you to apply your critical thinking skills to the results.
Here are some ways to refine your search in order to find the most relevant, reliable sources, and filter out some of the less appropriate information.
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