Chemistry

The general internet -can- be a good source for certain types of research BUT you really have to be cautious.

Web content can be created by anyone, with any agenda or bias, and may or may not be truthful or accurate.

When working with web resources, use the CRAAP test to help you know if it's reliable or not.

Use the CRAAP test to evaluate your electronic resources:

C - currency: timeliness. 

• Date posted
• Revisions/updates
• Functional links

R - relevance: importance.

• Related to my topic
• Intended audience
• Appropriate age level

A - authority: source.

• Author's credentials
• Expert on topic
• Contact information
• URL (.com.edu.gov.org.net)

A - accuracy: reliability, truthfulness and correctness

• Evidence
• Reviewed/refereed
• Verifiable
• Biased/emotional
• Spelling, grammar typos

P - purpose: reason for information.

• Clear intentions
• Fact/opinion/propaganda
• Point of view
• Bias
• Does this website: inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?