Evaluating Websites & Internet Sources

This page provides a list of fact checking tools for verifying information online.

• Snopes was started to debunk urban legends (woman fries cat in microwave) but has gone on to investigate anything that is questionable.  It is reliable.
• Factcheck - Nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
• Scicheck - FactCheck.org’s SciCheck feature focuses exclusively on false and misleading scientific claims that are made by partisans to influence public policy. 
• Webnames.ca gives steps you can take to check a website for validity.
• List of Fake Websites from Wikipedia

Your local college and public libraries also offer links to reviewed and reliable websites.

When information is needed the following website provide lists of reviewed sites.  The reviewers are experts so you can feel confident using their recommendations.

• The WWW Virtual Library - a guide to selected web sources across all the main academic subject areas.

Where you aren't sure the following websites list bogus health information

• Quack Watch - Quackwatch, Inc. is an American non-profit organization founded by Stephen Barrett that states its mission is to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct" with a primary focus on providing "quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere
• Medical Fraud Scams - Medical frauds range from people posing as doctors and practicing without a license, to useless supplements, worthless or dangerous diet aides, fake medicines and cures for cancer. The links below provide information about Medical Frauds provided by reputable U.S. Federal Government Agencies and independent research organizations.