There are millions of web pages available via the Internet.  Many students rely on the Internet almost exclusively when to conduct research.  However, not all information found on the Internet is accurate.  You should always examine the web page before using it as a research source.  How do you know if a web page is a good research source?

When evaluating a web page look for the following points:

       Does the website have a copyright date?

       How long has it been since the site was updated?

       Is the website complete or still under construction?

       Is the author/sponsor an expert in this area?

       Is it clear who sponsors the site and what the sponsor’s purpose is?

       Is this a recognized organization or individual?

       Is there information on how to contact the author or organization?

       Is there a list of references?

       Can you verify the information on the page somewhere else?

       Is the spelling, grammar, etc. accurate?

       Did others in the this area review the content on the page?

       Are the web pages navigable?  Do the links work?

      What is the goal of the page?  Does it meet that goal?

      Is the site biased or does it present both sides of the topic?

      Is the information intended to persuade or inform?

      Does the site link only to similar points-of-view?

      Is the web site under construction?

      Does the site provide comprehensive coverage of the topic?

      Is the site too basic?  Is it too advanced?

      Was the topic well-researched?

Does the website focus on your topic or is it a sub topic within the site?

          If your topic is in an area such as science, information changes rapidly.  Whereas a topic such as ancient Egyptian art will not have dramatic information changes.  In this case you could use an older web site and still obtain reliable, relevant information. 

          News websites often include not only the date of the website, but the time the news item was posted.  This will help you find the most recent news.

Don’t forget to check the databases and print resources.

Compare several websites, do they have similar information? 

Check the bibliography and/or references to find what sources the author used.  You may want to look at the same sources.

Do other sources contain the same basic information?

Do the articles conflict?  Do they exaggerate?  Do they distort the facts?

Don’t make snap decisions about web sites.  Weigh it against other websites, articles found in databases, and/or in print resources.

Print the web page.  Don’t assume you will be able to find the web page at a later date.  It will make it easier to cite the page correctly when you complete your bibliography or works cited page.

Remember to cite quotations and paraphrases using the format specified by your instructor (i.e. APA, MLA, Turabian, and so on).  Plagiarism is a serious offense and can result in failing a course, expulsion from school or even legal prosecution.

Knowledge is power.  If you verify web pages, you increase the quality of the information you use to write your papers.  You will also be able to write objective papers based on quality information.  Before using the Internet, always check the databases.  If you are unsure if a source is valid or need additional help, ask a Reference Librarian for assistance.

AKD/updated June 2004