Remember the following criteria as you evaluate print and online sources:
CARS -
C = Credibility
Authorship/Editor
Peer review
Publisher, if no author
A = Accuracy
Audience
Currency, last update
Error free
Comprehensive
How does it compare to other sources
R = Reasonableness
Objectivity/Bias
Agendas
S = Support
References
Corroboration
Documentation
For electronic sources, including websites:
URL endings, such as .com, .edu., gov., .org
Technical requirements
Ease of Navigation
Links
A quick guide to website evaluation:
*Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a means of contact and . . .
*Authority. If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and, . .
*Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and . . .
*Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and . . .
*Accessibility. If you can view the information properly--not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then . . .
You may have a Web page that could be of value to your research!
But what does that all mean, you ask?
1) Who made the website and what is the website for? (Accuracy)
Anyone can make a website, but there are some clues to look for to determine if a site is VALID and RELIABLE. The site usually has an identifiable author with contact information. The site will have some continuity of content and appearance. Pages within the site will link back to its home page. The site has been proofread - that is to say it's free of grammatical and spelling errors. You should also be able to tell why a website exists, what its purpose is, and what information it is trying to convey. Disjointed or unclear websites often give you unclear and disjointed information!
2) Is the author qualified to write about the subject? (Authority)
The author should list credentials, and the website should be hosted on a domain you trust. Review it like you would watch a cheesy infomercial - is the site trying to sell you a piece of junk?
3) Does the author express opinions or facts? (Objectivity)
Websites that have a bias will often present only one side of an issue. Check to see if you can determine the goals of the website - is it all about advertising, or is it the ramblings of one person with no authority or accuracy?
4) Are there a lot of ads? (Objectivity)
Ads don't always signal an unreliable site, but be sure to look at them carefully. Lots of ads might mean the site has a bias.
5) When was it last updated? (Currency)
Websites that are updated frequently are usually more reliable than sites which have been neglected for years.
6) Is it easy to find the information you need? (Accessibility)
Does the site require you to pay fees, or upload software? Are the links within the site usable, or are there lots of dead links?
Still not sure what to do? Here's another resource... and you can always visit your friendly neighborhood librarian!