Medaille College Library Research Guide
EVALUATING
INTERNET SOURCES
Anyone, regardless of expertise or knowledge, can post information on the
Internet. Therefore, information retrieved from the Internet should be evaluated using the
following questions as guidelines.
Purpose: The Internet is similar to a public bulletin board.
Why has the site been created?
Who is the intended audience of the site?
Is someone trying to inform you, persuade you, or sell something to you?
Is the information relevant to the topic you are researching?
Source: Internet sites come from a wide variety of sponsoring
entities and individuals.
Is the author or producer identifiable?
Are there credentials for the author or producer? Are they experts in the subject area?
Is there an e-mail link provided to submit questions or comments?
Content: Content can range from being definitive to being false.
Accuracy: Web sites are rarely refereed or reviewed.
Is there evidence of bias?
Is the source of information clearly stated, whether original or borrowed from elsewhere?
Comprehensiveness: The content should cover a specific time period or
aspect of a topic.
Can you use additional print or electronic sources to complement what you have found?
Currency: Web sites should be updated on a frequent basis.
What is the date of the information provided?
Hyperlinks: Linked sites are not always the best available, or most
suitable.
Are the links relevant and appropriate?
Are the links searchable?
Style and Functionality: A well designed internet site enhances the
information offered.
Is the site well organized?
Is the information easy to get to? The three click rule: If it takes more
than three clicks to get to something useful or interesting, then it is buried too
deep.
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