• Not all websites are reliable. How do you know whether the site you are using is a good source of information?

    irst, think about your reason for searching the web. Are you looking for something fun to do or are you writing a report? It is much more important to use quality sources for a report than it is for something that is just for fun.


    Here are some things to look for when evaluating a website.

    GOOD WEBSITES:
    • accurate/no typing or factual errors
    • easy to read and understand
    • includes in-depth information
    • contains objective facts
    • revised frequently; up-to-date
    • from a reliable source/you've heard of the organization sponsoring the page
    • (a URL ending with .gov, .edu, or .org is also a good sign)
    • the site sticks around for a long time and is always there when you go back to it

    QUESTIONABLE WEBSITES:
    • contains typing errors and errors in fact
    • difficult to read; graphics are distracting
    • information is not detailed or in-depth
    • lots of one person's opinions
    • page hasn't been revised in a long time
    • you've never heard of the person or source sponsoring the page
    • the page is not there when you look for it a few months later

    Turrell, L. Complete Library Skills. Grand Rapids, Michigan: McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2004.