Inaccurate online reference information that is not factual can hurt the credibility of a writing project and cause embarrassment. Here are five tips that can help writers find credible online references.
Use Caution When Accessing Wikipedia
Using Wikipedia as an online reference is generally not a good idea. Wikipedia can provide general background information but is not reliable in terms of factual accuracy. If writers come across a Wikipedia article that lists dozens of reference notations, it is best to access those references directly and use them as a starting point when doing any sort of writing project.
Consider Government Websites
Government agency websites are a great way to find statistics and factual information on a wide array of subjects. The EPA, FDA and DOE are among the hundreds of government websites that can serve as a source of reliable online reference information.
Use Common Sense
When conducting online research, writers should evaluate online reference sources carefully. If a website is selling a product, the creators are naturally going to publish favorable reviews and information in an attempt to get people to buy their product.
Blog posts are generally not considered credible online reference sources, because they tend to be opinion based. However, writers may be able to find a few worthwhile links to more credible sources embedded within a blog entry.
Evaluate Professional Associations
When writing on a specific topic, chances are that there is a national association or society that has a website specific to the subject a writer is researching. These websites provide factual information that is backed by scientific research and are a viable online reference source.
Consider Educational and Medical Resources
University and college websites can be a viable way for writers to find out general information regarding a subject. Current research study findings are often published by higher learning institutions as well.
Hospitals, such as the Mayo Clinic, often provide a wealth of information for writers that need medical based references.
It is important for writers to remember that anyone can publish anything on the internet and there is a lot of information online that is misleading or just plain wrong. Using discretion when researching is the best way to find educational references that will support the premise of an article, book, paper or report. Finding credible online references may be time consuming, but it is the best way to ensure a writing project is based on factual information, not fiction.
Internet Research On A Computer Screen
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