Library research: How to become an expert on a scientific topic

For your final project, your group will create and deliver an oral presentation to share your results from one experiment that you completed this semester. To build an effective presentation, you’ll need to perform additional research on the web and in scientific articles to learn about your topic. Using each of these sources requires training to make sure you are gathering accurate information about your topic. You’ll then compile your research into an oral presentation to share your discoveries with your peers.

In lab, you’ll first complete a tutorial with your group to evaluate a variety of websites that may be useful in your research.  We’ll then learn how to find peer-reviewed  scientific articles about your topic using an online database called Web of Science.

Researching your topic on the web

CRAAP Content from Meriam Library California State University, Chico, CC-BY

When you search for information, you’re going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need. 

Evaluation Criteria for Websites

Currency: The timeliness of the information. 

• When was the information published or posted? 

• Has the information been revised or updated? 

• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well? Are the links functional? 

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs. 

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? 

• Who is the intended audience? 

• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)? 

• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use? 

• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper? 

Authority: The source of the information. 

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? 

• What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations? 

• Is the author qualified to write on the topic? 

• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address? 

Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net 

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content. 

• Where does the information come from? 

• Is the information supported by evidence? 

• Has the information been reviewed or refereed? 

• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge? 

• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion? 

• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors? 

Purpose: The reason the information exists. 

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade? 

• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? 

• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda? 

• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? 

• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases? 

Using scientific articles to research your topic

Today you’ll also find peer-reviewed scientific articles that will give you more in-depth information about your topic. Scientific articles are the way scientists communicate results with each other and to the public and are the foundation of our scientific knowledge. Finding a relevant scientific article can be overwhelming at first. Today you’ll learn how to use a database called Web of Science to help you find and filter for high-quality articles.