Research Using Library Resources: Evaluating Web Sources

After you Google, what do you do to determine if you will rely on the information in the listed websites?

Who is responsible for the content?

Click on the "About us" or "Contact us" links to determine what person or organization has authored the information on the website.

Is the person/people/organization well regarded in this particular subject area?

Why does this website exist?

Is it designed to get you purchase something?

Is is designed to promote a certain way of thinking?

Why should you believe anything on the website?

How will you verify the information you read?

Are the people who wrote it credentialed or well-known in the field of study?

Is this a government or educational website?

When was the information last updated?

 .com - commercial or business

.edu - educational institution

.org - organization (often non-profit)

.gov - government organization

When searching Google, use the "Advanced Search" to limit your search results to a specific domain .edu, .gov. or .org.  To use the "Advanced Search," click on the little gear symbol.

Try these Google Advanced Search Tips and Tricks