How to Evaluate Web Sites

Since just about anyone can put information on the Internet, it's important to carefully evaluate information that you find online.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when examining a web page.
And remember the old adage that if something sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

Who wrote it?

Are the authors known authorities on the topic? Are their credentials provided? Is there an address where you can contact them to learn more about their credentials? Do you reach their page by linking from an authoritative source?

Who put it on Web?

Is there a header/footer or logo on the page indicating that it is originating from a reliable institution or organization, such as a scholarly web site, an academic institution, a reliable news service or a respected organization? Personal web sites should be regarded with caution since their creators are not responsible to an employer or higher authority for their content.

Does the information come from a biased source?

Look at the URL (in the "Address Bar") and any available data about the author and/or the organization responsible for publishing the information on the Web. Does the information come from an organization or individual trying to sell or promote a particular product or influence your political or philosophical viewpoint?

Are the facts accurate/verifiable?

Is the background information used to support statements easy to verify? Are the methods of information gathering clearly explained for studies and surveys?

How current is this information?

Is there a date of publication or copyright date? Is there a date when the web page was last updated or does the home page of the whole site list a date when the site was last updated?

Avoiding Online Scams

While sometimes providing convenient ways of doing business, the Internet also offers another venue for fradulent business practices.

For more information about ways to avoid Internet fraud, check out the National Consumer League's National Fraud Information Center & Internet Fraud Watch web site at:
http://www.fraud.org.
Call them at 1-800-876-7060 if you suspect an online business of fraud.

This information was compiled by the Reference Department staff of the Clearwater Public Library.