Evaluating

Internet
Sources

A brief lesson on how to assess the

quality and worth of an Internet source
prepared by Kenneth Atillo
 Anyone can print anything
on the Internet
Internet sources must be evaluated to assure
their authenticity and relevance because Web
sites and pages do not go through the intensive
editing processes that traditional print and
visual resources do.
Therefore, YOU, the user, must learn to
assess the validity of the sources you use in
your research.
Don’t be fooled into believing that just
because it’s on the Internet, it’s true. In
essence, don’t believe everything that you read!
Criteria for Evaluating Internet
Sources

–Authority
–Currency
–Accuracy
–Objectivity
–Usability
–Appropriateness
 Authority

– Authority refers to the reliability and credibility of the

source.
– What are the author’s qualifications?
– Is the author or source affiliated with a reputable
organization?
– Is there a contact person listed?
– Is there evidence of quality control?
Examine the Domain
One good way to assess the credibility of an
authority or web site is to examine the URL

– edu = college or university

– gov = government agency or organization
– org = non-profit organization
– mil = military organization
– com = commercial organization
– info = general information site
– net = network provider
– int = intergovernmental organization
 Be wary ...

• A tilde ~ after the domain type usually

indicates a personal web page and not an
official part of that organization’s site
• Look for personal data about the author
or organization
• Look for contact information, an email
address, webmaster, editor, etc.
 Currency … or timeliness

Very often, Internet sources offer a real

advantage in that they are often even
more current than traditional print
sources.
The information can be updated
constantly.

However, you must be aware that the dates on an Internet

site have various meanings.
Examine the date...

– Date of information - usually indicates when the material

was originally written
– Date of publication - usually indicates when the material
first appeared on the Web
– Date of last revision or update - usually indicates the latest
revision
– And check the links to make sure that they are up-do-
date!!!
 Accuracy

Accuracy refers to the Is the information

reliability of the
information.
– Dependable?
– Error-free? ?
To examine the quality
of the content on the
? – Documented?
– Accurate?
?
– Comprehensive?
site, ask the following
– Understandable?
questions:
? ?
?
 Objectivity
This refers to purpose of the site, evidence of bias
or prejudice, and facts vs. opinion.
– Is there evidence of bias? – What is the purpose of the
site? To persuade, inform,
– Is only one side of an issue
explain, sell, promote, or
presented?
ridicule?
– Is any information purposely
– Can you tell facts from
omitted?
opinions?
– Is there a hidden
message?
 Usability
Usability refers to user friendliness and how easily the site allows
you to retrieve information. Consider the following criteria:

– User friendliness- Is it easy to – Design- Is it clean, clear, and

find, read, and use the uncluttered?
information? – Consistency- Are navigation
– Organization- Is it logically buttons the same
and clearly arranged? throughout?
– Table of Contents or Index- Is it – Links- Are they clear,
labeled clearly and is it accurate, workable,
complete? valuable?
 Appropriateness

Various types of webpages exist. Examine the purpose of the site

to help you to determine the appropriateness for use in your
research. Five types are listed below.
(from Jan Alexander and Marsha Ann Tate of Widenour University)

– Advocacy Webpages
– Business/Marketing Webpages
– Informational Webpages
– News Webpages
– Personal Webpages
 Finally...

Remember that the Internet is not the only source of

information.
– It is very useful for some topics
and almost useless for others.
– Use a variety of sources, both
Internet and traditional sources
– Always question the validity of
the information that you find.
– Remember the important
evaluation criteria to consider.
Remember the Criteria for
Evaluation

–Authority
–Currency
–Accuracy
–Objectivity
–Usability
–Appropriateness
 And you’ll be a...

Happier,

Smarter,

More Successful
Researcher!!
 Credits

– O’Neill, Ann B. “Trash or Treasure? How to

Evaluate Internet Resources.” 16 Nov. 2004. 7 Apr.
2005
<http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/tips/eva
l.html>.
– Special thanks to the students and instructors in
Mansfield University’s School Library and
Information Technology program