The internet is full of information, but how do you find research-based information you can trust? Use the resources on this page to learn how to use the internet to find reliable information online.
Search engines are powerful tools which find the information we need - provided you know how to search effectively. Use these tips to search for research-based information on the internet.
The University of Minnesota has great resources for finding horticultural information, and is focused on finding horticultural solutions for our plants and growing environments.
Prioritize using information from neighboring Universities extension services, which are more likely to have similar growing situations as Minnesota. Use the websites directly, or add "extension" or "ext" and the University name to your internet search. Government agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, can be searched by adding ".gov"
Use these questions to help distinguish between trustworthy information and anecdotal solutions on the internet.
Make sure to use the most up-to-date information from your sources. Check publication dates, and avoid sharing or using information that is older than five years. With new and emerging pests and diseases, our understanding and recommendations for management continually change, so always seek out the latest, research-based information before sharing.
Science tells us what the facts are, based on what we know now, without opinions or emotions. However, the process of science can appear chaotic and imperfect. New studies constantly challenge what we think is true, and scientists don't always agree. How do we know what to trust? The scientific process relies on continual testing of theories while sharing peer-reviewed results that stand up to replication. Use the Rough Guide to Spotting Bad Science to learn how to evaluate the evidence behind scientific claims, and learn to recognize bad science.