Library
Recommended Websites: Evaluating Internet Resources
It's important to evaluate any information you find on the
Internet. Unlike books and magazines, which use editors, proofreaders, and fact checkers,
there is often no one to check the quality and reliability of Internet information. Since
virtually anyone can publish just about anything on the
Internet, it's critical to evaluate it carefully. Here are some questions you might want
to ask:
- Who is the person or organization producing the information? Does that
person or organization have appropriate qualifications or expertise?
- What is the nature of the information? Is it objectively written or is
it biased in some way? Is it based on balanced and careful research or is it just an
opportunity to sell a product or a particular point of view?
- When was the information written or updated? Is it no longer valid or
reliable if it's out-of-date?
Remember, a librarian will be happy to help you
find the best information, on the Internet or elsewhere, that meets your needs. Just ask!
For more information on evaluating Internet resources:
- Evaluating Internet Resources:
Southampton College, Southampton, New York: A list of questions to ask when evaluating an Internet
site
- Evaluation Criteria: New Mexico State
University: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources
- Ten C's for Evaluating Internet Sources:
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI
- Thinking Critically
About World Wide Web Resources: UCLA: The World Wide Web has a lot to offer, but not all sources
are equally valuable or reliable; here are some points to consider
- Tips for Evaluating a World Wide Web Search:
University of Florida: Examine the information you find on the Internet keeping this list of questions
in mind
- Webhound: From Maricopa Community
Colleges in Tempe, Arizona, the Webhound is here to show you how to use different types of Web search
tools; you will be able to identify key elements of a topic search, decide the most appropriate
approach, and then... do it!; Webhound also has a collection of website examples called The
Good, the Bad, and the Bandwidth Hogging Ugly