Evaluating Internet Sources
Information on the Internet is a mixed bag of gems and junk. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference! How can we determine which websites are accurate, current, credible, unbiased and sufficiently cover the information we need? The following checklist offers some suggestions for evaluating Internet Information.
Accuracy - How accurate is the information?
- Are the sources for facts clearly cited so they may be verified?
- Is the information free of grammatical, spelling and other errors?
- Is there an editor or someone who checks the accuracy of information?
- Is there someone responsible for the document and can he or she be contacted?
Currency - How current is the information?
- Are there dates indicating when the website was published and updated?
- Is there any indication that the material is kept current?
- How up-to-date are the links?
Authority - Is the author or publisher credible?
- What kind of entity is publishing the document? Is it an individual, academic institution, commercial enterprise, or governmental organization?
- Is the sponsor of the page reputable? Is there information describing the goal or objective of the sponsor?
- Authors, publishers, and other providers should be willing to identify themselves.
- Do they provide credentials? Are they experts in their field?
- What is the education, work experience, previous writings of the author, publisher or other content provider?
Objectivity - Is the information objective or biased?
- Does the content present only opinion?
- Does the author or organization promote a specific viewpoint?
- Is there more than one point of view presented about the topic?
- If there is advertising in the document, is it clearly differentiated from the informational that is being provided?
Coverage - Is the information covered well?
- Is the information sufficient enough to make access worthwhile?
- Are there appropriate supporting links or bibliographies?
- Are the links and references to other resources meaningful?
- Does the content have unique intrinsic value?
If you have trouble finding credible information on the Internet, Ask a Librarian for help by phone, email, instant messaging, chat, or in person.
