BIO 60: Marine Biology: Web Resources

The quality of the information you find on the Web varies tremendously so it is always a good idea to check the information against another source. As with all information resources, whether in print or on the Internet, you evaluate its quality based on the following criteria:

• Accuracy (Is it free from mistakes and errors?)
• Authority (What are the qualifications of the author?)
• Objectivity (Is there any strong bias?)
• Currency (Is the information up to date?)
• Coverage (To what extent is the topic explored?)

That's just the basics.  Learn more!

Tutorials on Evaluation Criteria

CRAAP Test (CSU Chico)

Information on educational and governmental websites tends to have more reliable information.  On Google's Advanced Search screen, along with your search terms, enter .edu or .gov in the box labeled "Search within a site or domain:".

Sample searches from the Advanced Search screen:

Search 1

all these words: estuaries "san francisco"

site or domain: .edu

Search 2

all these words: phytoplankton growth

site or domain: .gov