Ask yourself the following questions about each website you're considering:
Currency: Timeliness of the information
How recent is the information?
Can you locate a date when the page(s) were written/created/updated?
Are the links functional?
In regards to your topic, is it current enough?
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Is the information at an appropriate level (not too elementary or advanced)?
How does it compare with other sources you have looked at?
Authority: The source of the information
Can you determine who the author/creator is?
Is there a way to contact them?
What are their credentials (education, affiliation, experience, etc.)?
Is there evidence they're experts on the subject?
Who is the publisher or sponsor of the site?
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of content
Is it arranged logically and consistently?
Has it been either peer reviewed or cited elsewhere?
Can you verify any of the information in another source?
Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar or other typographical errors?
Purpose / Point of View: The reason the information exists
Based on the writing style, who is the intended audience?
What's the intent of the website (to persuade, to sell you something, etc.)?
What is the domain (.edu, .org, .com, .gov etc.)? How might that influence the purpose/point of view?
Are there ads on the website? How do they relate to the topic being covered (e.g., an ad for ammunition next to an article about firearms legislation)?
Is the author presenting fact or opinion?
Who might benefit from a reader believing this website?
More information can be found on the linked libguide below
