Because anyone can publish anything on the internet, it is very important to determine that the information you have found on a website comes from a reliable and authoritative source. So, how do you evaluate a website?
Ask yourself these questions when you are evaluating a website. Your answers will help you decide if the site appears to be a reliable source of information. In addition, we have provided a number of links to excellent guides for website evaluation.
Authority
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Content
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- Is the author/producer easy to identify?
- Are the author’s credentials listed?
- Is the author’s affiliation easy to determine (e.g. university, government)
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- Are there errors or discrepancies on the site?
- Is the content appropriate for your needs?
- Is there sufficient coverage of the topic?
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| Currency |
Objectivity |
- Can you find the date that the site was created?
- Was the site updated recently?
- Do the links on the site work?
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- Is the information factual or opinion?
- Is the site trying to sell something that seems too good to be true?
- Is the information consistent with other sources you’ve found?
- Is the source of the information provided?
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