Library Guides: ENGL 100: English Composition: Useful Websites

Crap Test

With resources like Google at our fingertips, information isn't hard to find. What is challenging is determining whether that information is credible and can be trusted. Is it factual? Biased? Relevant to your topic?

A Google search is often our first stop to gain a basic understanding of the main ideas of a topic, but since anyone with access to a computer can publish anything online, it is crucial that you evaluate the information you find, especially when completing a research paper, or looking for important information (like health or financial information).

Web sources can be particularly hard to evaluate, so here is a handy acronym to help you determine if a source may be CRAP.

CURRENCY: How recently was this information published/posted? Can you find a publication date?
RELIABILITY: Is the information supported by evidence? Can it be confirmed by other sources?
AUTHORITY: Who wrote the information - are they an expert or knowledgeable in their field? (i.e. For health information, did a doctor or nurse write it? For science information, did a scientist or researcher write it?)
PURPOSE / POINT OF VIEW: Why was it written? To sell something? To sway opinion? Is it biased toward a particular point of view?

Government Websites

Bureau of Justice Statistics
The Bureau Of Justice Statistics publishes information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC collaborates to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats.
Department of Education
The mission of the Department of Education is to foster educational excellence, and to ensure equal access to educational opportunity for all.
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency, with a mission to protect people and the environment from significant health risks, sponsors and conducts research and develops and enforces environmental regulations.
Fish and Wildlife Service
The Fish and Wildlife Service works to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress provides Congress with objective research to inform the legislative process, administers the national copyright system, and manages the largest collection of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in the world.
National Association of Social Workers
National Health Information Center
NHIC is a health information referral service that links consumers and health professionals with organizations best able to provide answers to their health-related questions.
Office of Scientific and Technical Information
The Office of Scientific and Technical Information collects, preserves, and makes available the results of research and development carried out or sponsored by the Department of Energy.
Science.gov
Science.gov is a gateway to government science information and research results. Currently in its fifth generation, Science.gov provides a search of over 60 scientific databases and 200 million pages of science information with just one query, and is a gateway to over 2200 scientific Websites
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.
Women's Bureau (Labor Department)
The Department of Labor's Women's Bureau works to safeguard the interests of working women, advocates for equality, and promotes quality work environments.