Evaluating web sites
May 31, 2007 — chiclibrarySo now you have 16,400 results from your Google search. Make that 16,500 - things have changed since yesterday.
Which ones should you include in your research? What makes a web site a good, reliable source of information?
A quick check of the following criteria will help you start to weed out the junk:
Purpose - Why does the site exist? To promote a hobby? To share professional information? To make money? To perpetuate a hoax or urban legend?
Authority - Who is the author? Does this person have the knowledge and experience to be a trusted source? How can you tell? What does the author gain from sharing the information? Are you able to contact the author?
Objectivity - Is there a bias or slant? Does the information relflect that bias? Is that a problem? (it may not be, depending on your research)
Currency - Is the information current? Has it been updated regularly? Check the bottom of the page for a “last modified” date.
After you’ve eliminated the obvious junk, go back to review your possibilities again. Choose sites that are clear and relevant. When in doubt, don’t use the site. Keep looking. You may need to try another search.
Need help as you begin your next paper? Just ask!


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