Evaluating Websites & Internet Sources: Criteria for Website Evaluation

Consider these concepts as you navigate information for your classes. This criteria can also be applied to print sources and media. 

ACCURACY
How reliable is the information? 

Remember, almost anyone can publish on the web.  As opposed to scholarly or academic sources in print or online, many web sites are not verified.  There are no web standards to ensure accuracy. If there are no references or other sources cited it will be more difficult to establish accuracy.

AUTHORITY
What are the author’s qualifications for writing on this subject? 
Is the author's expertise well established or transparent?
How reputable is the publisher or sponsoring organization? 

It is often difficult to determine the authorship and qualifications. (Try Googling or checking Wikipedia for the name, organization)

OBJECTIVITY/BIAS
Is there bias? 
Are the goals or aims of the individual or group clearly stated or transparent? 

Remember that many people consider the web as a place to state their opinions. Bias will often exist, but it helps to be clear about it before you use the information.

CURRENCY
Is the content up-to-date? 

Often dates are omitted or may mean the date that the information was originally written, the date it was placed on the web, or the date it was last revised.

COVERAGE
What topics are covered and to what depth? 

Coverage may differ from print resources.

AFFILIATION
Is there a corporate entity (i.e. company, government, organization, university) that supports this site? 
Is there a link to the homepage of the organization? 
Is there contact information such as an email link and a snail mail address? 
How might this affiliation affect objectivity?

AUDIENCE
Can you idtentify what audience the material is intended for? Is it for students in elementary school?  Middle school?  High school?  Is it for adults? Other experts or professionals?
How difficult is the material?
Is the language or data used complex and specific, or simplified?

STABILITY OF INFORMATION
It’s here today but will it be here tomorrow? 
Can you cite it with some assurance that it will be found again?

PRIVILEGE / ACCESS
Were there limitations or gatekeepers as to who has access to the research or information or who is able to publish the work?

Think about if there is anyone else who might contribute a different perspective to the information. Seek out those voices might be missing, left-out, or not prioritized in the work. 

CONTEXT

Has the information been removed or extracted from an original source?

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if the information is accurate or reliable if it has been taken out of it's original context.

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DOMAINS/URLs

Domain name types and checking out the URL or the DOI for the page or site can provide some help. Some of the basics are: 

• com – commercial business (the most common TLD)
• org – organizations (typically, nonprofit)
• gov – government agencies.
• edu – educational institutions.
• net – network organizations.
• mil – military.

Some additional information on verifying websites:

• How to Find If a Website is Legitimate
• Google Safe Browsing site status
• SIFT Website evaluation starter course: Check, Please!
• SVC Misinformation Guide

From Hartness Library CC/ Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)

• You can use this list as a guide for evaluating your sources, whether they are websites or from SVC resources.
• You don't need to be able to answer all the questions but use the list as a general evaluating tool.

CURRENCY	How recent is the information, does it matter to your topic? Has the resource been consistently updated/revised? Are links current and working?
RELEVANCE	Is the information really relevant to your topic? Does the creator provide references or sources for data or ideas? Are there errors?
AUTHORITY	Who is the creator, author or sponsor? What credentials does the author or organization have? Does their experience or education indicate that they could be considered "experts"? Is information about the creator easily found? Is information provided about funding sources or data gathering for the work?
PURPOSE / POINT OF VIEW	What is the the purpose of the site? Is it obvious what it's for? Are they trying to sell you something or promote an idea? Who is the intended audience? Is there a strong bias, an aggressive use of language, or a balanced tone? Are there lots of pop-ups and irrelevant ads?