Evaluating Internet Sources
The criteria below will assist you in evaluating web pages for use as
academic sources. Be sure and look at the criteria in multiple categories prior to making a
decision regarding the academic quality of a source.
How did you find the website?
How you located the site
can give you a start on your evaluation of the site's validity as an academic resource.
- Was it found via a search conducted through a search engine? Unlike library databases, the
accuracy and/or quality of information located via a search engine will vary greatly.
Look carefully!
- Was it recommended by a faculty member or another reliable source? Generally, an indicator of
reliability.
- Was it cited in a scholarly or credible source? Generally, an indicator of reliability.
- Was it a link from a reputable site? Generally, an indicator of reliability.
Identify the website's domain.
Think of this as "decoding"
the URL, or Internet address. The origination of the site can provide indications of the site's
mission or purpose. The most common domains are:
-
org :An advocacy web site, such as a not-for-profit organization.
-
.com : A business or commercial site.
-
.net:A site from a network organization or an Internet service provider.;
-
.edu :A site affiliated with a higher education institution.
-
.gov: A federal government site.
-
.il.us :A state government site, this may also include public schools and
community colleges.
-
.uk (United Kingdom) : A site originating in another country (as indicated by the
2 letter code).
-
~:The tilde usually indicates a personal page.
Authority
Look for information on the
author of the site. On the Internet anyone can pose as an authority.
- Is the author's name visible? Does the author have an affiliation with an organization or
institution?
- Does the author list his or her credentials? Are they relevant to the information presented?
example:
Florence
Nightingale
- Is there a mailing address or telephone number included, as well as an e-mail address?
example:
American Psychological
Association
Accuracy and Objectivity
There are no standards or
controls on the accuracy of information available via the Internet.
The Internet can be used by anyone as a sounding board for their thoughts and opinions.
- How accurate is the information presented? Are sources of factual information or statistics
cited? Is there a bibliography included?
- Compare the page to related sources, electronic or print, for assistance in determining
accuracy.
Compare the information in the following examples:
HIV/AIDS Surveillance
in Women
The True But Little Known Facts About Women and Aids
Examine the DHMO page for accuracy:
DHMO.org
- Does the page exhibit a particular point of view or bias?
example:
Why We Shouldn't Legalize Assisting
Suicide
- Is the site objective? Is there a reason the site is presenting a particular point of view on a
topic?
Compare the following examples on secondhand smoke
Site #1
Site
#2
- Does the page contain advertising? This may impact the content of the information included.Look
carefully to see if there is a relationship between the advertising and the content, or whether the
advertising is simply providing financial support for the page.
example:
Will
the best protein please stand up?
Currency
This is both an indicator
of the timeliness of the information and whether or not the page is currently maintained.
- Is the information provided current?
- When was the page created?
- Are dates included for the last update or modification of the page?
- Are the links current and functional?
Functionality
The ease of use of a site
and its ability to help you locate information you are looking for are examples of the site's
functionality.
- Is the site easy to navigate? Are options to return to the home page, tops of pages, etc.,
provided?
- Is the site searchable?
- Does the site include a site map or index?
Print a
handout on Evaluating Internet Sources.
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