Popular science magazines are intended to be read by the general public and can explain science in easy to understand language. But they may include mistakes if the authors and magazine editors did not fact check sufficiently. Professors and librarian can point you to some popular science magazines which have a decent reputation.
Science articles can be harder to understand due to complicated terminology. But you look up the meaning of words. And Science and Nature are highly respected peer-reviewed articles...and they also contain science news articles about research which can be written in an understandable manner.
Search strategies for the worksheet and essay
- Search for words and phrases provided by professor.
- Look at the good articles in your results and add terms and phrases that THEY used to YOUR search.
- Too many results? Search for your words in the title of the article.
- Search the Internet for scientific statistics and data from reputable sources.
- Search for peer-reviewed science articles with statistics and use their references to find the original source of the statistics.
- Ask the science librarians for help https://library.indstate.edu/forms/liaison.asp and https://library.indstate.edu/about/staff/subjects.asp
Science (and other disciplines, too) has its own specialized terminology. Your professor is helping you by telling you what some of these specialized words and phrases are within the instructions. Try searching for these words and phrases.
Some organizations and government agencies collect data and statistics, including scientific data and statistics. After all, the government sponsors scientific research on behalf of the people it serves. Not every website is a good accurate source of information. But the U.S. Department of Energy, for example, would be a good source and funds and publishes research. The National Science Foundation would be a good source. Your professor has told you of some good sources in the course.
A good peer-reviewed article for your search may have more good sources within its references. Go find those references. Take advantage of the work already completed by that author to help you find more information.
