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Web Resources
Web resources can be especially helpful when gathering background information for a topic. Blogs or websites can be published more easily and quickly than scholarly journal articles, which means they may cover more current issues. However, this also means that information found on the web hasn't necessarily been reviewed by experts and should be evaluated more carefully. Here are few trusted websites to get you started:
- The Encyclopedia of EarthThe Encyclopedia of Earth offers brief overviews of a variety of biology topics, with content reviewed by scholars, educators, and other professionals in the field.
- United States Geological SurveyUSGS provides science about impacts of climate and land-use change. The website covers multiple scientific disciplines, including biology.
- United States Fish and Wildlife Services National Digital LibraryThe USFWS National Digital Library provides images, videos, documents, audio, and maps related to conservation efforts.
- Glossary of BiologyWikipedia's glossary of biology is helpful for defining scientific terms and gathering background information on a topic. This is a helpful resource to use during the "brainstorm keywords" phase of your research.
- bioRxivbioRxiv (pronounced "bio-archive") is a free online archive and distribution service for unpublished preprints in the life sciences. These journal articles or dissertations represent the latest research, but they have not been officially published yet.
Video Resources
Like web resources, videos can be a great tool for exploring research topics or breaking down complex concepts. However, you will always want to verify that information is coming from a reliable source. Below are a few trustworthy video channels to get you started.
If you need help determining whether a source is reliable, don't hesitate to reach out to a librarian for tips!
- MIT Department of BiologyMIT Biology is known globally for its cutting-edge research, pioneering collaborations, commitment to instruction, and mentoring.
- iBiology Science StoriesFree biology talks by the world's leading scientists that show the process of science and the wonders of discovery.
- Kurzgesagt Medicine & BiologyAnimated videos that explain scientific concepts