Objectives | Searching | Search Strategies

Web Site Evaluation

The World Wide Web can be a wonderful research tool, but you do need to use caution. Remember that anyone can put anything on the Web. If you plan to use a Web site, examine the site carefully and ask yourself these questions. Get in the habit of judging Accuracy, Currency, Authority, and Objectivity.

• Is the information accurate? Does it contain spelling or grammatical errors?

• Is the information current? When was it last updated? Are the links up-to-date?

• Is the page signed? What are the author’s credentials or qualifications?

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, explain, entertain, persuade, or sell? Is there a bias?

• Where does the Web site originate? Is it affiliated with a major institution or organization? Looking at the URL (Web address) can help you determine this.

• Check Alexa.com to find contact and owner information for a website as well as seeing webpages that link to the site.

Other tips for better web site searching and evaluation:

Start internet searches from a 'trusted' source: 

Website lists, like CPCC Library's Recommended Websites list.

or

Internet Indexes such as Librarian's Internet Index which provides website suggestions from information professionals.

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