WWW - Evaluating Internet Sources

There are a few fundamental problems involved in Web research. Anyone with the right software and access to the Internet can publish a document on the Web, regardless of the accuracy of the information, or the quality of its presentation. To do accurate research, always examine a wide variety of sources, and compare them against each other. Are the facts the same in each of them? Can differences be explained? Your comparisons may reveal controversy, differences of opinion, and inaccuracies of fact. A careful comparison of your sources will help to build a more complete understanding of your topic. To verify the accuracy of a Web source, it is a good idea to examine it alongside printed periodicals and published books on the same topic. The following are some areas to consider:

Authority (Is the author of a source an expert?)

The author's name and e-mail address should be provided somewhere on the site's home page. If one person, what are that person's credentials? Does the author have an affiliation with a known institution or respected organization? Does the author have a reputation? Has the author published works in traditional format? What does the domain name (URL) reveal about the source of the information, if anything? (.com---a commercial site; .org---a group or organization; .edu---an academic institution; .gov---a government site; .mil---a military site; .net---a network). If the author has a personal home page or a list of links of interest, do the selections or annotations suggest that the author may have a bias or special interest?

Purpose (Look for the reason the information was posted)

Is the purpose of the page stated? Is the information intended to inform or teach, sell, persuade, entertain or enlighten? Is the writing style of the source appropriate for an academic discussion of the topic?

Accuracy (Try to verify the same information elsewhere)

Where does the information come from? (books, articles, research, observation, opinion) Are there references or a complete list of works cited? Can you verify any of the information in independent sources or from your own knowledge? Can you find any cases where the author has plagiarized other sources? Has the information been reviewed or refereed? Does the language or tone seem biased?

Currency (Look for the date)

If relevant, when was the information gathered? When was it posted? When was it last revised? Are there up-to-date links?

Uniqueness Don't be fooled by appearances)

Does this page present a new perspective on the topic or does it just summarize other sources? If it is just a summary, use it to find the originals, but do not cite it as a source. Original sources always carry more weight than second-hand citations. Is the overall look pleasing and logical? What age or reading level is it aimed at? Is the site easy to navigate? Does the author use correct spelling and grammar?