The document provides guidance on evaluating reliable sources for science projects and citing digital resources. It recommends ensuring sources are from experts in .edu, .gov, or .org domains. Using databases makes the evaluation process easier as they contain reliable journal articles, magazines, and books. The document demonstrates how to cite sources from databases in APA format, both in-text and in a references list. It also provides tips for creating a hanging indent in references.

1. USING & CITING
DIGITAL SCIENCE
RESOURCES
HKHS
March 2017

2. RELIABLE
•When researching, you always need to be sure that
you are getting your information from reliable
sources.
•Some sources are considered to be “reliablereliable”
because they have been written by people who are
experts in the field.
•When you find information that your use in your
project, you must cite the source. Use APA format
when citing resources for SCIENCE projects.

3. • To determine reliability of online sites and
organizations, look at the URL’s ending:
• .edu = it is most likely an educational institution.
Be aware, however, of political bias.
• .gov = it is most likely a reliable government
website.
• .org = it is usually a non-profit organization.
• These sources may be good but you will still need to
research their possible biases.
Online journals and magazines:
• Reliable journals and magazines should contain a
bibliography for every article.

4. WHY USE A
DATABASE?
 Define database: a collection of pieces
of information that is organized and
used on a computer. (Merriam-
Webster)
 If you use a database, the work of
ensuring your source is reliable has been
done for you. You will have a collection of
journal articles, magazine articles, book
excerpts, and more to sort through to
gather useful information for your
research.

5. CITING FROM A
DATABASE
 Often times, citation information is available to you
directly from the database. Be sure to select the
correct citation style – APA for science.
 If you cannot copy and paste citation information from
the database, you can use a tool such as “Citation
Machine” (http://www.citationmachine.net/) to help
generate a citation in the proper format.
 If you want to register for an EasyBib account (on the
library website), you can write notes and store
citations all in one location.

6.  IN-TEXT
CITATIONS
• In-text citations help readers locate the cited source in
the References section of the paper.
• Whenever you use a source, provide in parentheses:
 the author’s name and the date of publication
 for quotations and close paraphrases, provide the
author’s name, date of publication, and a
page number

7. SAMPLE OF A
REFERENCE PAGE
(APA FORMAT)
Remember to title your APA citations References, like above.

8. CREATING A
HANGING INDENT
1.Place your cursor at the beginning of your
second line, before any text.
2.Right click your mouse.
3.Select Paragraph from the resulting pop up
menu.
4.Under Indentation, use the Special pull-down
menu to select hanging.
5.Use the By menu to select 0.5"

9. SO WHAT SCIENCE
DATABASES DO WE HAVE AT
HKHS, AND HOW DO I CITE
MY RESOURCES?

10. CITATIONS
Austin Peay State University Academic Support Center Writing Lab “Reliable and Unreliable Sources” Oct 29 2012
http://www.apsu.edu/sites/apsu.edu/files/academic-support-center/Reliable_and_Unreliable_Sources.pdf
Georgetown University Evaluation Internet Resources 2016 http://www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/evaluating-internet-
content
Purdue Owl Writing Lab 2017 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/18/
Images: Creative Commons https://search.creativecommons.org/