Research Tips: Evaluating Websites

Evaluating Websites

Let’s face it–there is a lot of information available on the Internet! How do you determine if it’s GOOD information, especially if you want to use it for research?

Authority

• Who wrote this information, and why?
• What credentials or expertise does the author have in the subject area?
• Is the information fact-based, or opinion-based?
• Who owns or is sponsoring the website?

Purpose

• Who is the intended audience? Is it for scholars, the community, or private groups?
• Does the site include a mission statement?
• What is the purpose of the site? Is it to inform, instruct, persuade, or to sell?

Objectivity

• Is the information biased? If so, does the author acknowledge these biases?
• Does the author present alternative points of view?
• Does the website sponsor have any vested interests that could cause bias?

Accuracy

• Is the information contained in this site correct?
• How accurate is other information within the site?

Credibility

• Where does the information come from?
• Does the author provide references or a bibliography?
• If references are listed, are they from primary or secondary sources? Are the references themselves trustworthy?
• Do the links to references work, or are they broken?

Timeliness

• When was the site last updated?
• Have there been any new developments or changes in that subject since it was created? Is it outdated?
• How current are the sources listed as references?

Relevance

• How will using this source contribute to your research?
• Is this type of resource permitted by your professor?