Fei Yen should look for websites linked to reputable sources, such as academic institutions or established research organizations, and verify the credibility by checking for citations, author qualifications, and corroboration from other scholarly sources when conducting scientific research on smoking and lung cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evaluating Internet Resources for Scientific Research
When Fei Yen is using the Internet to conduct scientific research, the reliability of websites is crucial. Reliable information can often be found on websites recommended by a faculty member, cited in an academic source, or linked with a reputable website. It's essential to verify the credibility of the source, checking the author's qualifications, the presence of citations, and whether the information can be corroborated by other scholarly sources.
For instance, websites like the National Academy of Sciences and the Food and Nutrition Information Center are typically considered reliable because they are associated with research organizations or established institutions. Moreover, scholarly databases and official health organizations like the World Health Organization provide trustworthy information as well.
When researching topics such as smoking and lung cancer, websites with .gov or .edu extensions are generally more reliable than those without clear authority or with a potential bias. It's also beneficial to compare information from multiple sources and look for a consensus amongst experts on the topic. By engaging in active fact-checking and utilizing academic databases and resources listed by a school library, Fei Yen can ensure that the information she gathers is both accurate and reliable.