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FSW 201: Introduction to Social Work and Family Life Education: Finding Credible Websites

What to Look for When Evaluating Sources (Especially 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 Is it outdated?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?

Select NGOs

General

  • Think Tank Search
    • A Google Custom Search of 1,200+ think tanks and research centers from advocacy groups, governments, universities, and non-governmental organizations. Partisan and non-partisan think tanks are included.
  • American Policy Directory
    • List of think tanks and advocacy groups by topic. Analysis and advocacy from all perspectives on U.S. national public policy.
  • Social Policy Institute
    • Washington University in St. Louis research institute focused on systems-level understanding of policy problems in health, education, housing, and financial security. Research reports, working papers, and policy highlights.
  • RAND Corporation
    • A research organization that recommends solutions to social issues such as families, literacy, social equity, the workplace, and health.
  • Brookings Institution
    • Evidence-based research on common policy issues such as housing, children, crime, human rights, race, education, and health care.
  • Center for Law and Social Policy
    • Nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on policy solutions for people with low incomes (health, mental health, income) and racial equity.
  • Urban Institute
    • Nonprofit research organization that produces research and data on housing, race and equity, health, justice, and education.
  • Center for the Study of Social Policy
    • Non-profit organization that promotes public policies on racial equity, youth, LGBTQ+, poverty, strong communities, immigration, child welfare, and learning.
  • Institute for Policy Research (IPR)
    • Hosted by Northwestern University, IPR is an interdisciplinary public policy research center. Research areas include children and families, communities, urban policy, poverty, and inequality.
  • MDRC
    • Organization that produces research on P-12 education, higher education, at-risk young people, families, children, work and income, welfare reform, housing, criminal and juvenile justice, health, and justice.

Health Issues:

  • Johns Hopkins Institute for Health and Social Policy
    • University research center focused on translating research findings into practical policy guidance. Research briefs, expert testimony, on food systems, housing, neighborhoods, and health.
  • Kaiser Family Foundation
    • Nonpartisan organization that compiles research on health policy, such as mental health, uninsured, racial equity and health policy, women's health, and health reform.
  • Guttmacher Institute
    • Research and policy organization that produces research on pregnancy, STIs, HIV, abortion, and contraception.
  • Mental Health America
    • Organization that compiles statistics and research, and advocates for federal and state policies to improve mental health in all facets of life.

Women & Gender:

  • Institute for Women's Policy Research
    • Nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization. Priority areas are the status of women, reproductive health, student parents, race, ethnicity, gender, and economic, security, mobility and equality.
  • National Partnership for Women & Families
    • Nonprofit advocacy organization that focuses on policy issues affecting women (reproductive health, maternity leave, fair pay, etc).
  • Guttmacher Institute
    • Research and policy organization that produces research on pregnancy, STIs, HIV, abortion, and contraception.

Children & Youth:

  • Annie E. Casey Foundation
    • Private and focused on children and teenagers' educational, economic, social, and health outcomes. Produces the Kids Count Data Book.
  • National Center for Children in Poverty
    • Nonpartisan organization that researches child poverty, adolescent health and youth development, healthy development, low-wage work, and children's mental health. Easily compare states on immigration, mental health policies, basic needs budgeting, and employment benefits.
  • State Statutes Search | Child Welfare Information Gateway
    • See statutes in each state relevant to child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption. From the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Immigration:

 

  • Last Updated: Apr 1, 2025 2:51 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.lib.miamioh.edu/c.php?g=1461350
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