Evaluating Websites
Because anyone can publish anything on the internet, it is very important to determine that the information you have found on a website comes from a reliable and authoritative source. So, how DO you evaluate a website?
Some hints are listed below. Ask yourself these questions when you are evaluating a website. Your answers will help you decide if the site appears to be a reliable source of information. In addition, we have provided a number of links to excellent guides for website evaluation.
| Authority | Content |
| • Is the author/producer easy to identify? • Are the author’s credentials listed? • Is the author’s affiliation easy to determine (e.g. university, government) • Is contact information for the author provided? |
• Are there errors or discrepancies on the site? • Is the content appropriate for your needs? • Is there sufficient coverage of the topic? |
| Currency | Objectivity |
| • Can you find the date that the site was created? • Was the site updated recently? • Do the links on the site work? |
• Is the information factual or opinion? • Is the site trying to sell something that seems too good to be true? • Is the information consistent with other sources you’ve found? • Is the source of the information provided? |
Further Reading
Evaluating Web Sites (University of Washington) – A handy one-page guide.
Evaluating Web Pages (Duke University) – Lots of examples and screen shots of what to look for.
Evaluating Web Sites (Washington State University)
Last updated May 17, 2012
