Evaluating Websites to determine their value for information to be included
in your college research papers
by Richard Gordon
email: richard@gordonrichard.com
Last update March 25, 2006
- How did you find this source -- through the college library website or just
through a search engine like Google or Yahoo?
- Can you determine who the author is?
- Can you contact the author for additional information?
- Can you determine the credentials of the author? What makes him/her appear
to have the background to be considered an expert on the subject of the website?
- Is this an .edu or .gov or a .com
site?
- Does it have advertising?
- Do the links in the site work?
- Is the site trying to get you to purchase something?
- By cutting back on the website address, can you determine if the website
is affiliated with a reputable organization, college or university?
- Is the article clearly written, well organized, and free of spelling or
grammar mistakes?
- Is the website current -- up-to-date -- especially when it discusses a subject
that demands the latest information?
- Is there evidence that the author is biased or prejudiced either for or
against the subject being written about?
- Does the author give sources for his information?
- Can controversial statements be supported by evidence on other reputable
sites?
- Can you tell what city and nation the article originates?