7.3 Finding Credible Sources

In the following video clip , Dr. Namuth-Covert demonstrates how to use The Ohio State University online library website for finding reliable resources on the latest weed science research.

Examples of Reliable Sources

Here we list several strong, credible resources where you can find information on weeds and some of the latest research findings.

• Weed Science Society of American is a “non-profit professional society promoting research, education and awareness of weeds in managed and natural ecosystems”. They have newsletters, as well as 3 peer-reviewed journals.  http://wssa.net/publications/
• The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) is another professional organization that produces educational materials, as well as peer-reviewed journals. ASA also oversees the Certified Crop Advisor Program.  https://agronomy.org/publications
• Land grant institutions also develop educational and extension materials based on their research (as well as publish in peer review journals). Here at The Ohio State University, you will find weed science information at:  https://owl.osu.edu/home
• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has helpful information regarding invasive weeds and other species: http://ohiodnr.gov/invasiveplants
• The Center for Invasive Species Management is run out of Montana State University and has many good references: http://www.weedcenter.org/education/adult.html

Citing Credible Sources

When you are writing reports and building upon or summarizing someone else’s work, it is important to properly cite their work and give them credit for their professional contributions.  Journals published by the American Society of Agronomy and the Weed Science Society of America follow the CSE style guide:

The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 8th ed., Council of Science Editors (2014) http://www.scientificstyleandformat.org.

This link takes you to a list of examples on how to properly cite information sources:

http://www.scientificstyleandformat.org/Tools/SSF-Citation-Quick-Guide.html

One item to note, many peer-reviewed articles are becoming available online only. Sometimes the URL can change, so it is important to also include the “DOI”, its digital object identifier, which will always stay constant (and is a valid search term in any online search engine).

Here are a few examples of common types of resources you will likely be citing in this course:

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: Pline WA, Wilcut JW, Duke SO, Edmisten KL, Wells RFP.  2007. Tolerance and accumulation of shikimic acid in response to glyphosate applications in glyphosateresistant and nonglyphosate-resistant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). J Agric Food Chem 50:506–512

Online Peer-Reviewed Journal Article:  Sterling T, Namuth-Covert. 2009.  Cellular Absorption of Herbicides. Natural Sciences Education. [accessed 2018 June 18]; 39(1):178. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/nse/abstracts/39/1/178   doi:10.4195/jnrlse.2009.0023w

Website:  Heap, I.  c1993-2018.  The International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds.  Weed Science Society of America; [accessed 2018 Jun 18].  http://www.weedscience.org/