Website Evaluation -
Learn how to choose the best website for your research
Tips for deciding if a website is reliable:
When possible use a website shared with you by your teacher or librarian
Think about the author's purpose
Be inquisitive! Look all around the website, try all the links, check for obvious errors
Beware of phony URLs
Ask the librarian! :)
Always check your resources for the 5 W's
What are the 5 W's?
Who:
Does the URL give you any clue about the author or source? examples: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government),
.org (nonprofit organization), or .net (network)
Is there any contact information like an email address?
Is there an author's name provided?
What:
What kind of information is included?
Does it include more facts than opinions?
Does it provide different points of view?
Are references provided for data and quotations?
When:
How recent is the information?
When was the website last updated?
Is it current enough for you to use?
Where:
Where does the information come from? Is it cited?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Have you seen this information somewhere else or did you already know it? Does it make sense?
Why:
What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
Is the purpose stated?
Is it biased?