Be on the lookout for inaccurate Internet sites! Electronic Resources Be on the lookout for inaccurate Internet sites!

Educational subscription databases (ProQuest, Electric Library, Britannica Online, Gale, Info-Trac, Exegy, etc.) can always be counted on to be accurate, reliable sources of information.  However, not all Internet sites are credible.  How do you evaluate the quality of a website?

Authority
Is the organization sponsoring the website a reputable authority on the topic?
What are the author(s) credentials?

Responsibility
Who is responsible for the site?
Is the source or author named?
Can you contact the person or organization?
Beware of anonymous sites!

Objectivity
Does the organization or individual have a bias concerning the topic?
Is the site a forum for the opinions of a group or individual?

Currency
When was the site last updated?
Is currency an issue for your topic?

Documentation
Where did the author get his/her information?
Is there a bibliography or list of resources?

Next Page On to Biography