How Do I Evaluate a Website?

The Internet can be a great tool for doing research, but it is necessary to evaluate websites to insure their quality and accuracy. Below are some aspects to consider.

Key Areas to Review

ACCURACY

Is the information reliable and correct?
Is there an editor who verifies the information?

Anyone can publish anything on the Web, and there are no web standards for accuracy.

AUTHORITY

Is there an author? What are his or her qualifications?
What is the sponsoring organization? Is it reputable?
Is the domain appropriate for the search (.edu, .com, .gov, .org, .net, etc.)?

Look for links providing information about the author and his or her e-mail address.

Check for "about us," "philosophy," etc. for information about the organization.

OBJECTIVITY

Does the website show a minimum of bias?
Is there advertising on the page?
What is the purpose of the site? To sell, to inform, to persuade?

CURRENCY

Does the site include the dates it was created and updated?
How current are the links? Have any expired or moved?

Consider if currency is especially important for the research topic.

COVERAGE

How does the site compare with other sites on this topic?
Is material covered in depth rather than superficially?
Is there a balance of text and images?
Is the site readily viewable, not needing special software or requiring a fee?

The site should contribute something unique to the subject.

Additional Resources

Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

OWL at Purdue University: Evaluating Internet Sources

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_evalsource4.html