Evaluating Internet Resources: A checklist
Unlike most print resources such as magazines, journals, and books that go through a filtering process (e.g. editing, peer review, library selection), information on the Internet is mostly unfiltered. So using and citing this information in a report and is a little like swimming without a lifeguard (BEWARE!). The following guide provides a starting point for evaluating World Wide Web sites and other Internet information.
Authority
 | Who is the author of the piece? |
| Is the author the original creator of the information? |
| Does the author list his or her occupation, years of experience, position, education, or other credentials? |
Affiliation
| What institution (company, organization, government, university, etc.) or Internet provider supports this information? |
| If it is a commercial Internet provider, does the author appear to have any connection with a larger institution? |
| Does the institution appear to exercise quality control over the information appearing under its name? |
| Does the author’s affiliation with this particular institution appear to bias the information? |
Currency
| When was the information created or last updated? (most good pages list this information near the bottom of the main page) |
Purpose
| What appears to be the purpose for this information?
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Audience
| Who is the intended audience? |
Compared to what?
| What does this work/site offer compared to other works, including non-Internet works? |
Conclusion
Given all the information you determined from above, is this Internet site appropriate to use as a source of reliable information?
