EVALUATING A WEBSITE
Questions
Who Wrote It?
Credible websites will offer information about its authors.
Look for links like “About Us” or “Who We Are.” You might
scroll to the bottom of the page to see if an author or
corporation is listed there.
If information about authorship is absent, the lack of
accountability suggests the author is not willing to stand by
his/her words, a sign of non trustworthiness.
If the authors admit that they take a certain approach, that
does not mean the site is unreliable, but it does suggest
that you should bear in mind that they are predisposed to
specific viewpoints.
Look for credentials when checking authorship, and keep
your eyes out for typographical errors, misspellings, and
grammatical mistakes.
If an author provides little or no information how where s/he
found data or facts, the website is likely to be unreliable.
When Was It Published?
Although there is no “expiration date” on information, you
might consider when an article was published. The context
of the article will affect its content, and, depending upon
your project, current data might be necessary.
For instance, an article on MP3 files that was written when
Napster was making headlines will sound decidedly different
than one that was penned after the introduction of the latest
iPod. The context of the article is crucial to understanding its
Questions To Ask
Questions To Ask
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Does the author have a degree in the field?
Does the writing reflect merely one person’s
opinion?
Has the site been recognized by other experts as a
good source of information?
Does the site explain where it got its facts by
providing a bibliography or end notes?
Does the site feature advertising that may affect its
content?
Is there evidence that the articles have been edited
or reviewed by other experts?
Would your readers (i.e., your teachers) accept this
source as credible?
Questions To Ask
Has the author provided a date of publication?
 Have there been significant changes in the field
since the publication date?
 Would your readers accept the information as
current, given the publication date?
 Has the site been updated to reflect current
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EVALUATING A WEBSITE
Questions
main points, so you will need to know when it was first
published.
Look for dates in the margins. Often, they are at the bottom
of the page; some sites print publication dates next to the
author’s byline.
If no date is available, you might question the creditability
of the site. A site that looks dated or neglected may have
been “forgotten” by authors and left online in a “draft” form.
What Kind Of Website Is IT?
There are different kinds of websites, just like there are
different kinds of magazines. There are some magazines
that you would not consider to be reliable, such as
the National Enquirer or other tabloids. On the web, it might
be harder to discern serious articles from tabloid fodder.
Think about whether a site is commercial and aimed at
consumers. For instance, a website developed by a
pharmaceutical company may present statistics about
certain illnesses or conditions in a way that will encourage
people to try their drugs.
There isn’t a “right” kind of site, but you should know if the
website contains a specific type of content, like blogs, links,
or message boards. You should choose an appropriate
website for your research.
You would not look for the latest news in a phone book, of
course, because the kind of information in a directory is
Questions To Ask
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thinking?
Does the site contain references (i.e., notes or a
bibliography) to current articles, events, or
documents?
Are statistics accompanied by dates and sources?
When did you access the article or website? You
may need that information for your bibliography.
Are there many broken links?
Questions to Ask
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Is the website affiliated with any other form of
media, like a newspaper or television show?
Does the website document its facts with a
bibliography or notes?
Who is the intended audience of this website?
What is the tone of the writing from the website?
Does the site provide the kind of content that will
further your research?
Does the site focus on a certain kind of document
(i.e., editorials, blogs, articles, lists of links)?
Would your audience accept this kind of document
(i.e., a blog or a newspaper article) as a reliable
source?
Does this kind of document privilege accuracy?
EVALUATING A WEBSITE
Questions
Questions To Ask
different from that of a newspaper. Similarly, there are
different kinds of websites. Some sites will consist primarily
of links or blogs while others present articles or analyses.
Consider what type of information the site offers when
evaluating its use.
Why Was It Published?
The Internet was first developed by researchers who wanted
to share their scholarship with each other. Instead of
becoming an academic repository, though, the Internet
developed commercially, and many sites are launched to
further a company’s profit and reputation rather than to
share information.
A website that is published for commercial reasons may
reflect bias toward certain subjects. Other websites might
present information in a “consumer-friendly” way, which
suggests that the data may be oversimplified.
Much like popular magazines, websites may offer “snippets”
of information instead of the in-depth analyses that your
professors prefer.
Where Did you Find The Address?
The Internet was first developed by researchers who wanted
to share their scholarship with each other. Instead of
becoming an academic repository, though, the Internet
developed commercially, and many sites are launched to
further a company’s profit and reputation rather than to
Questions To Ask
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Does the website contain advertisements that are
related to its content?
Does the website repeatedly refer to a book or
product?
Are there any registration fees?
Would this website appeal to experts in the field?
Are the articles written in a professional tone?
Would your readers accept this website as a source
of information?
Does the website focus on facts or on the opinions
of its viewers?
Questions To Ask
Did you learn about the site from a commercial?
 If someone told you about a site, is this a person
who understands the nature of your research?
 Did you follow a link from a reputable site?
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EVALUATING A WEBSITE
Questions
share information.
A website that is published for commercial reasons may
reflect bias toward certain subjects. Other websites might
present information in a “consumer-friendly” way, which
suggests that the data may be oversimplified.
Much like popular magazines, websites may offer “snippets”
of information instead of the in-depth analyses that your
professors prefer.
Published Jul 20, 2009 (Updated Aug 28, 2012)
Questions To Ask
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Is the site affiliated with an organization, school, or
journal?
Can you verify the site’s address by typing in the
URL in a separate browser window?
Do experts refer to the site?
Did you select this site carefully or did you randomly
choose it from a longer list?
If someone asked you why you chose to use this
site, could you explain why you picked it over other
sites?