Research Process - in brief: Evaluate Results

The evaluation of websites has additional challenges:

Accuracy

• Can the provided information be verified elsewhere?  Are footnotes/ bibliographies or references provided?  How reliable are these sources?

• Is there an editor or someone else who verifies the information?

• Does the page/document include a description of research methods and data?

• Has the site been referred to by others?

Authority 

• Is the author identified, and the is site authored or published by a person / agency that has appropriate qualifications?

• Does the site represent a non-profit organization (.org), company (.com), educational institution (.edu), or government agency (.gov)?

• Is there a link to the organization’s page or a means for contacting the organization or author?

Objectivity

• Does the web page show bias or inflammatory language?

• Does the site include advertising?

• What is the primary purpose of the site? Does the website sell a product/service, or advance a political view?  Look for a 'mission statement' under the  “About Us,” or “FAQs.”

Currency

• Is there a date indicating when the document was created, and last updated?

• Are links current?

Scope / Coverage

• Is this a comprehensive resource, or is the information too narrow for your research requirements?