Can
you find information about credentials or background of
the author or organization responsible?
Objectivity
and Accuracy
Does
the author or publisher have a personal agenda or bias?
Is
the page presenting facts, advocating an opinion, trying
to sell something?
Can the information on this page be verified in a reliable
source?
Currency
Does
the page include a date it was last updated?
Is
the content as up-to-date as it claims to be?
Hint:
It is a good idea to note the domain of a site's URL when
you are trying to evaluate the validity of the web site (i.e.,
.com, .gov, .org, .edu). These domains can often give you
a clue about the Web page's author or source. However, you
can't judge a Web site just by its domain. Not all commercial
sites will try to sell you something, but they warrant more
scrutiny than those at a governmental site. University sites
(.edu) include students’ personal web pages as well
as faculty research.
The
content, along with the other clues you'll find as you answer
the questions above, should help you decide if the web page
should be used for your research project. If you are still
unsure after examining the page, it is best to consult with
the faculty member or a reference librarian.
