This document provides guidance on how to evaluate websites for research purposes. It discusses looking at the credibility and authority of the author, accuracy and reliability of the information, date of publication, and sources cited. Some factors to consider include the purpose of the site, biases, and what the URL reveals about the domain and organization responsible for the site. Students are encouraged to carefully evaluate sources rather than just accepting sources at face value.

1. Evaluating Websites

2. It can be confusing There are billions of websites available Many of them are not worth your time and have no place in your bibliographies Sometimes it’s hard to tell the good from the bad Often, people will try very hard to make their website look good when it isn’t It’s your job as a researcher to look for quality

3. Think of CARDS C redibility/Authority A ccuracy R eliability D ate S ources Behind the Text

4. Credibility/Authority Who is the author?

5. But What If I Can’t Find Any Author Information? Look for credibility clues! Words and phrases to look for: About Us, Who Am I, FAQs, For More, Company Information, Profiles, Our Staff, Home

6. Find the URL root The URL is the internet site’s web address Delete characters in the address line up to the next slash mark to see if a main page offers more information about who is responsible for publishing the page you are interested in. Go from http://www.statecollege.edu/history/middleages/chaucer/smith.htm http://www.statecollege.edu/history/middleages/chaucer http://www.statecollege.edu/history/middleages http://www.statecollege.edu/history http://www.statecollege.edu

7. Accuracy

8. Reliability Understanding bias is important .

9. Date

10. Sources Behind the Text Did the author document his or her sources? Did the author use reliable, credible sources? Where are those sources from? Popular, scholarly? What kind of links did the author choose? Are the hyperlinks reliable, valuable? Do the links work?

11. URLs as a Clue to Content .com Commercial site (vary in their credibility) .gov U.S. government site .org Organization, often non-profit. Some have strong bias and agendas. .edu School or university site (Is it k-12? By a student? By a scholar?) .net Networked service provider. Internet administrative site. .name Individual internet user .biz A business ~ Personal site

12. What Do These URLs Reveal About These Sites? http://personal.statecollege.edu/~ejv114/ http://www.fi.edu/wright/index.html http://www.house.gov/house/Legproc.html http://aolmembers.com/joyciev328/civalwarsong

13. Remember, the Web is Not Your Only Choice! Did you use print resources? Did you search subscription databases?

14. Why Should You Care About All This? http:// zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/ Evaluation is ridiculously important. It isn’t just about the internet. Just as you evaluate your sources, your teacher will evaluate your work based on the quality of the sources you select. Evaluate carefully. Don’t settle for good enough! You can find better! Evaluation is important! Be picky!

15. In Class Assignment Working collaboratively, find a website that supports your research topic. Fill out your Evaluating a Website worksheet for your chosen website. Fill out as much information as possible. You will be handing this in.

16. Works Cited Beck, Susan. “Evaluation Criteria.” The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Or, Why It’s a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources . 3 Apr. 2008. NMSU Lib. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://lib.nmsu.edu/‌instruction/‌evalcrit.html>. Valenza, Joyce. “Is That Site Good Enough to Cite?” Springfield Township School District . 20 Oct. 2008 <http://www.sdst.org/‌shs/‌library/‌powerpoint/‌evaluation.ppt>.