The following provides guidance on how FSRIO staff determine which links are featured in the different sections of the Resource Lists. Generally two rules apply in all sections:

• each section is limited to 12-15 links to assure that the very best web sites are selected; and,
• the published date of links does not exceed five years; however, exceptions do apply such as a web page that is maintained, published research, and timelines of a topic.

Categories and Descriptions

1. General Information/Fact Sheets
   Links providing a general understanding of the topic area such as FSRIO fact sheet, backgrounders, FAQ’s, and descriptions of topic area.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=139#general)
2. Reports
   Links that are generated from forums, conferences, and/or research studies. These reports should be objective, and when/where there is a link on a controversial topic (ie. biotechnology), both viewpoints will be posted on the Web site if available. Reports, which must be purchased for review/access
   (ie. conference proceedings) will not be included in this section (see books/journals).

   Reports can be very broad and come from a variety of sources. If it’s a general report, the link will be displayed first. Otherwise the links may be broken into three subcategories.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=139#reports)

The three subcategories include:


a. Conference/Forum – only to be used when applicable.

b. Guidelines/Directives – only to be used when applicable

c. Annual/Progress – resources that provide a progress of active research within the last 5 years. Resource should have a date listed.

3. Organizations/Agencies
   Links from government agencies and professional agencies that regulate the topic (ie. FDA and food labeling) or conduct research on the topic. Specific web pages within a large agency web site are selected to provide direct links and to create a more usable Web site.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=139#organizations)

a. Industry – only to be used when applicable. This subcategory is not used frequently because FSRIO generally does not link to commercial Web sites. However, exceptions may apply, specifically when the topic focuses on a technology such as “animal electronic identification.”
(ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=67#organizations)

4. Education – links that provide a continuing education purpose, such as certifications, academic programs that specialize in the chosen topic.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=147#education)
5. Databases – links that are specific to the topic; can include databases
   searches such as FSRIO.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=70#databases)
6. Listserves
   Links to professional listserves specific to topic area.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=70#databases)

7. Journal/Books
   Links that are listed on the web as useful resources on the topic area. Book titles and magazines can be included. Online books may be full text or, must include an excellent description. Search results to PubMED, NAL’s Catalog (AGRICOLA), and the Research Projects Database may be included in this section. The journal titles listed should be specific to the topic rather then contain a few relevant articles. Individual journal articles will not be placed in this section. Research reviews or report summaries within a journal are placed in the reports section. In the case that a volume of a journal is dedicated to a specific topic or a collection of research within the topic, a link to the specific volume or collection will be included. A report, such as a conference proceedings, may appear in this section if it must be purchased for review/access and has been published or assigned an ISBN number.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=70#journals">

8. Newsletters/Press Releases
   Links that are produced in a timely manner. These usually will not go as in-depth as a book/journal. Newspaper stories may also be included in this section.
   (ie. http://fsrio.nal.usda.gov/document_reslist.php?product_id=70#newsletters)