I can provide a general overview of online resources for finding factual answers in at least 700 words:

Introduction

When writing an article, it’s important to get the facts right. Having accurate information builds credibility with readers and avoids spreading misinformation. In the internet age, writers have a wealth of resources available to verify facts and find authoritative answers on a wide range of topics. But with so many options, it can be tricky to identify which websites are most reliable for factual research.

Characteristics of Good Factual Websites

What should you look for in a good factual website? Several key characteristics include:

– References and citations – Any facts presented should be backed up by links to original sources or citations. This allows you to verify the information.

– Reputation and expertise – Look for sites with editorial oversight from experts in their field. Academic institutions, professional organizations, and government agencies often provide the most credible information.

– Transparency – Reputable sites will clearly identify authors and their credentials, provide contact information, and have an editorial review process.

– Objectivity – Beware of sites with obvious political, ideological, or commercial biases. Factual information should be presented neutrally.

– Currency – Make sure information is up to date, especially for science, technology, and event facts that can change rapidly.

– Ease of use – Legitimate reference sites make it easy to find desired information through search functions, categorized content, citations, etc.

Recommended General Factual Websites

Some good starting points for checking facts across various topics include:

– Wikipedia – Despite criticisms of its editorial model, Wikipedia does require citations and often accurately summarizes factual information found in other sources. Just be wary of biases and verify key facts elsewhere.

– Encyclopedia Britannica – A highly respected encyclopedia with articles written by academic experts and strict fact checking standards.

– WolframAlpha – A computational knowledge engine that presents facts and stats in response to direct questions. Good for math, science, economics, etc.

– Quora – Features detailed answers to specific questions from experts and regular users. Just be discerning about which Quora sources to trust.

– Public libraries and universities – Most have online access to subscription academic journals and databases full of authoritative information.

Subject-Specific Factual Websites

For researching facts on a particular topic, look for sites dedicated specifically to that field. Some examples:

– Health and medical information – NIH, Mayo Clinic, WebMD

– Law and government – Supreme Court website, congress.gov, state legislature sites

– Science and nature – journals like Science, NASA, National Geographic, Nature Conservancy

– Math and statistics – Mathematica, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau

– History – National Archives, Library of Congress, local historical societies

– News and current events – major national newspaper and network websites

The internet is a great tool for finding factual information, but it takes some digging and discernment to identify the most credible sources. When in doubt, try cross-referencing facts on multiple authoritative websites. With a little practice, you’ll build great research skills to support accurate, truthful articles.

Evaluating the Reliability of Online Sources

While the sites listed above are generally reliable, there are still some factors to consider when verifying facts on the internet:

Check for a scientific consensus

For scientific topics, look for consistency across multiple authoritative sources. Beware of fringe claims unsupported by scientific consensus.

Watch for loaded language

Factual writing should be neutral. Be skeptical of sites with emotionally charged or biased wording.

Research the site’s backing

Determine who funds, manages, and contributes to the website. This can reveal potential biases.

Consider credentials

Facts provided by experts with advanced degrees and credentials in a field tend to be more reliable.

Look for primary sources

When available, verify facts against original documents, data, recordings, etc. rather than secondary summaries.

Using Facts Responsibly When Writing

While factual accuracy is important, it’s also key to use facts responsibly in writing. Considerations include:

Confirm details are essential

Only present factual details that are clearly relevant to the focus of your article.

Cite controversial claims

Back up any facts that could potentially be disputed with citations to credible sources.

Contextualize numbers

Frame statistics properly and provide comparisons when useful for understanding their significance.

Omit outdated information

Make sure historical facts are still relevant to include for a modern audience.

Avoid plagiarism

When copying or paraphrasing facts from sources, credit them properly to avoid plagiarism.