Science on the Web: Authoritative Yet Free Resources

"The body of scientific knowledge demands rigorous vetting and peer review. The internet, on the other hand, does not require any such controls. Does this mean that all you can find on the internet are pseudoscience sites and crackpot theories? No, there are many scientifically authoritative gems to mine online without paying any subscription fees. This is particularly attractive to those libraries unable to afford Web of Science, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, CINAHL, or Engineering Village, just to name a few.

Finding authoritative science resources on the internet can be a challenge. However, it is much easier to navigate this information jungle with a good map in hand. The paths I outline lead to authoritative scientific resources that are freely available online, enhancing research options for librarians and providing recommendation possibilities for patrons. Some of the information comes from nonprofit organizations, such as the Public Library of Science, and other information comes from governmental agencies, including NASA. Some of these entities, such as the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences, disseminate the most respected scientific literature in the world and have been central to key moments in scientific progress...."