Scientists always check their sources – it’s part of doing real science! When you’re working on your STEM project it’s important to use accurate information to guide you. Not all sources are equal. Some are reliable and helpful, while others might be outdated or even wrong.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best research sources:

Look for trusted sources

Start with sources that are known for being accurate, such as:

• Academic institutions or universities
  • Canada has over 200 universities and colleges, each with their own areas of research
• Peer-reviewed journals and scientific magazines
  • Google Scholar is great place to start your search
• Educational and media organizations
  • CBC Science, Canadian Geographic, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Nature Museum, Telus World of Science – Edmonton
• Government departments
  • Canadian Space Agency, Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, National Research Council Canada
• STEM organizations
  • Perimeter Institute, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Chemical Institute of Canada, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Always use sources that are known to check facts carefully before publishing and have evidence to back their claims.

Tip: If you read an article or hear about something interesting on social media, that’s a great place to start…but do more digging! Always try to find the original source of information, from the people or organization that did the research, not just a news story or video about it.

Check who wrote it

Ask yourself: Who is the author? A scientist, educator, or professional in the field is more reliable than a blogger or social media influencer.

Watch the date

Science changes quickly! Choose sources that are current so you don’t rely on outdated information.

Compare information

Don’t stop at one source. Check a few to see if they agree. If multiple trustworthy sources say the same thing, you can be more confident it’s true. You can get tips here on building your list of references (a bibliography).

Avoid copy-pasting

STEM projects build on research and information from others to create new ideas. But you must put the information in your own words and give credit to the original source. Putting it in your own words shows you understand the ideas you’re sharing. You can learn more about how to do honest STEM here.

Ask for help

If you’re not sure whether a source is trustworthy, ask a teacher, librarian, or mentor. They can point you in the right direction.

Remember

If a source makes wild claims without good evidence, or if it seems too good to be true, it’s probably not reliable. Using trusted research sources will make sure your project is based on evidence and facts, which makes your results more convincing!