Reference Librarian
Using Websites
Before using a website for your academic research, you must evaluate it. Does it pass the CRAAP test?
Currency: Is the site up-to-date and edited regularly?
Relevancy: Who is the intended audience for this information and is the information unique?
Authority: Who is the author and what are his or her credentials? Is there contact information? Is it a company/organization/university?
Accuracy: Where does this information come from? Are there sources listed? Are there typos or spelling or grammar errors?
Purpose: Why was this site created? Is it intending to sell a product? What is the domain name (.edu, .gov, .com, .org)?
After considering all of the above measurements, you will have a good idea whether or not a site is valuable to your academic research.
Statistical Data Websites
Websites
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SFE: The Encyclopedia of Science FictionThird version of the Encyclopedia which aims "to provide a comprehensive, scholarly, and critical guide to science fiction in all its forms." Important factual information, significant analysis and content, and the 12,000-and-growing entries make this a worthy resource for current and future sci-fi writers.
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World Wide WordsOnline collection of new words, word histories, backgrounds to words in the news, and weird/odd/curious words found in the English language and speech. The free e-magazine that users can sign up for is where all the website's material draws from and this weekly issue contains more content such as reader discussions and more exploration into language.