The RADAR Framework can help you remember what kinds of questions you should be asking about an information source as you evaluate it for quality and usefulness in your research.
Relevance
How is the information you have found relevant to your assignment?
Does the information answer our research question?
Authority
Who is the author/ publisher/ source?
What are the author's credentials?
Is the author affiliated to an academic institution or reputable organization?
Date
When was the information published?
Has the information be revised or updated?
Is the publication date important to you?
Does your research requite timely sources?
Accuracy
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence or peer reviews?
Is the information presented in a professional or academic manner? Free of spelling or grammatical errors?
Does it have citations and references?
Rationale
Why did the author publish the information?
What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
Provides free access to online journals containing fieldwork conducted by museum scientists in the areas of zoological systematics, paleontology, geology, evolution, and anthropology.
Use "Map-a-Planet" to customize and download your own images of the Moon, Mars, Venus, and other planets and moons. View beautiful planetary images and topography from various missions. Explore a planetary GIS database consisting of digital geologic maps, feature maps, topography, and remote-sensing data.
Since 2003, the Florida Electronic Library has provided over 190 million articles, e-books, videos and other electronic resources to the citizens of Florida. Click on All Resources for a list of databases, reference books, and links to other valuable resources.
The evolution of the Earth's plants and animals is recorded in its rock layers. download or view this poster showing a bird's-eye look at the progression of geologic time and life on earth.
Explore aspects of climate change science including sea-level change, impats on polar bears and other species, carbon sequestration, drought, glaciers, coral mortality, and more.
From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
Video and audio podcasts that describe USGS science conducted at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center and within the Coastal and Marine Geology program.
Gain an understanding of the forces that shape our continents through this map (This Dynamic Planet) showing tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcanoes, and impact craters. Includes a link to This Dynamic Earth, the most referenced source on plate tectonics.
Did you feel an earthquake today? Check out real-time earthquake information, record your own earthquake observations, and sign up for automatic earthquake notification. Explore links to ShakeMaps, earthquake FAQs, summary maps, historic information, preparedness, and more.
Welcome to the largest earth science library in the world! Established in 1879 to build and organize a collection of scientific materials in the earth sciences, the U.S. Geological Survey Library is now the largest library for earth sciences in the world. The Libraries Program includes four central libraries and is part of Core Science Systems within the USGS.
Learn about volacanoes in the U.S. and around the globe! Check out the Volcano Status Map for real-time information, read volcano FAQs, download educaitonal poster, view volcano movies, and explore additional teaching resources.
Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Water Science School. We offer information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.