Evaluating Websites & Internet Sources

This page provides some criteria and questions to ask when evaluating a source for credibility.

Consider these criteria when examining a web source for credibility:

AUTHORITY

• What are the author’s qualifications/credentials for presenting information on this subject? 

• Is the author's expertise well established or easy to find?

• How reputable is the publisher or sponsoring organization? 

  • How? Check the authorship and qualifications, try a quick Google or Wikipedia search for the name or organization. 

OBJECTIVITY OR PERSPECTIVE

• Is there bias? Is there a clear point of view?

• Is there a detectable use of specific kinds of tone or language?

  • How? Check to see if the goals or aims of the individual or group are clearly stated or transparent.

CURRENCY

• Is the content up-to-date? Is the coverage outdated? The importance of dates can change depending on topic and need.

  • How? Check to see if publication dates are included or if information hasn't been consistently updated. 

AUDIENCE

• Can you identify what audience the material is intended for? Is it directed to students in elementary school? High school?  Is it for adults? Is it aimed at other experts in the field, or professionals?

• Is the material very complex or simple?

• Is the language or data used detailed and specific, targeted to other experts? Is it understandable or simplified?

  • How? Check for language usage and tone.

STABILITY OF INFORMATION

• It’s here today but will it be available tomorrow? 

• Can you cite it with some assurance that it will be found again?

  • How? Look for permanent links to the resources you find, often located under the "share" option.

PRIVILEGE / ACCESS

• Are there limitations or gatekeeping as to who has access to the research, or who is able to publish the work?
  • How? Check to see if you need special permission, login credentials, or if you have to pay to access the full information? (Never pay, ask a librarian for help first). Pay attention to who does not have access or voices not represented.

CONTEXT

• Has the information been removed from and orginal source? It's harder to tell if the information is reliable if it has been taken out of it's original context.
  • How? Check for references and the embedded links to find the orginal research or context.

• You can use this list as a quick checklist for evaluating your sources, whether they are websites or from SVC resources.
• You don't need to be able to answer all the questions but use the list as a general evaluating tool.

Some additional information on verifying websites:

• Google Safe Browsing site status
• SIFT Website evaluation starter course: Check, Please!
• SVC Misinformation Guide