Evaluating Websites
As a thorough researcher, it is your responsibility to evaluate the reliability and truth of the information you find on the internet.
If you choose to use search engines, such as GOOGLE, be sure to ask the following questions:
If you choose to use search engines, such as GOOGLE, be sure to ask the following questions:
Ask the 5 w's:
- Who? Who is the author of this website? Is he/she an expert? Find out more about the author. (Is there a biography of the author on the site?) Can I trust the information?
- What? What is the purpose of the site? Is there a "hidden agenda"? Is the author motivated to convince you of something other than the truth? Is the site educational, or is it designed to sell you something, etc.
- When? When was the site created? When was it last updated? Is the content up to date?
- Where? Where does the information come from? What organization(s) and/or institution(s) provided information? Find out more about the producer or sponsor if you're not familiar with their work.
- Why? Why should I use this information? Why is this site better than others?
