Web Site Evaluation

Just because information is posted on the Internet, that doesn’t mean it is accurate or unbiased. You should always examine at least three sources to verify information. To help you decide if a web site is reputable, the following considerations should be made.

Who:
Is the author listed? Is an institution listed? If not, it might be questionable.
Is there background information on the author or institution?

What:
What is the bias in this site?
Is it intended for a specific audience?
Is the site easy to browse?
Are other sources linked to this site?

When:
When was the site created or last updated?
How current is the information that is given?
--some subject areas need to be more current than others

Where:
From where did the author get the information?
Are their sources cited for this information?

Why:
Why should this site be believed?
Why is this a good source for your topic?