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Evaluating Online Resources
Anyone can publish on the World Wide Web. This is both one of the strengths and one of the flaws of the Internet. If you are going to use online sources, you must be aware of the differences in quality that exist among Web sites. The following is a list of measures that you should use to judge any Internet source you use. You want to be able to answer “yes” to as many of the questions as possible in the far right column to use the source as authoritative.
Criteria
Accuracy
Validity or Objectivity
Authority
Questions
Is the site free from grammatical and typographical errors?
Do the links and graphics operate properly?
Was the information verified by a third party?
Does the information appear to be well researched?
Is there a bibliography or list of sources?
Is there a statement about the purpose of the site?
Is there a place to note and communicate errors located on the site?
Does the site appear to be free from bias or a single position?
Are the author’s name and qualifications clearly identified?
Does the URL address match the site’s name?
Is the site listed as a .gov or .edu or .org, rather than.com?
Does the author appear to be well qualified to write on the subject?
Is the site part of a university or similarly respected institution?
Currency and Uniqueness
Coverage
Does the date the site was last updated appear?
Has the site been updated recently?
Are any parts of the site “under construction?”
Are the majority of the articles on the site a part of that site (as opposed to links to other sites)?
Does the site seem to cover the topic in full?
Are there other, related topics discussed on the site?
Is there a resources section with links to other sites?
Writing Workshop 6 • Research Writing 7
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