the critical evaluation of websites allows users to identify

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Evaluating Websites: Evaluating Websites: Criteria and Exercises

The capps criteria.

Before you use a website as a resource, evaluate it with the five CAPPS Criteria :

• C urrency: Publication date or updated date.  The age of the content.
• Authority : What qualifies the content creator or author to produce information about the topic?
• Publisher / Publication : What is the reputation of the publisher, publication, or organization hosting the content?
• Point of View : The way the information is presented.
• Sources :  Amount of evidence provided.

Download the documents below for specific evaluation criteria and practice evaluating.

• CAPPS Criteria for Evaluating Resources
• Practical Tips for Evaluating Websites
• Worksheet for Evaluating Websites

The Importance of Evaluating Websites

Putting information on the Internet is fast, cheap, and can be done by anyone with an Internet connection.

If you are using a website as a source in your paper or project, you need to think critically about where that information is coming from.  You don't want to base your paper off a biased opinion or cite a website that's simply a mask for advertising.

Instead, you want to find credible, up-to-date, relevant information that's written by an expert or an authority on the topic, whose claims are based in fact and supported by evidence.

To learn how to separate the good information from the not-so-good or downright bad information that you might come across online, start with the CAPPS Criteria outlined on the left.  Download the linked documents for specific criteria and practice using each principle.

Once you've read about the CAPPS Criteria , test your knowledge by comparing the pairs of websites in the exercises below.

Note: The following examples were borrowed from Castleton College.

Instructions for Exercises Below

As you compare the pairs of sites below, consider these questions:

• What kind of site are you looking at?  Informational? Sales? Personal? Advocating for a cause?
• Who is responsible for the information?  Look for an ABOUT page.
• Which one is more appropriate for college assignments?
• Which is more credible?
• What factors helped you decide?

Compare the following sites.  Use the questions in the Instructions box above to guide your analysis.

• Center for Consumer Freedom
• Consumer Reports
• The Effects of Pesticides from the Global Healing Center
• About Pesticides
• Factcheck.org
• JustFacts.com
• The Use of Drugs in Farm Animals: Benefits and Risks
• The Dangers of Antibiotics in Foods
• Antibiotics Used in Meat Pose a Threat to Public Health, Admits FDA
• Antibiotics in Meat Could Be Damaging Our Guts
• Community Supported Agriculture: A Secure Market, A Local Food Supply
• Community Supported Agriculture for Meat and Eggs

Compare the following sites.  Use the questions in the Instructions box above to guide your analysis

• Greener Pastures: How Grass-Fed Beef and Milk Contribute to Healthy Eating
• The Health Benefits of Grass Fed Beef
• About Antimicrobial Resistance: A Brief Overview
• Antibiotic Resistance
• Last Updated: Sep 10, 2024 3:28 PM
• URL: https://hennepintech.libguides.com/evaluatingwebsites

Study Toolbox: Critically Evaluating Websites

• General Study Tips
• Note Taking
• Mind Mapping
• Searching Online Databases
• Searching Business Source Complete
• Searching CINAHL Ultimate
• Searching ProQuest Central
• Searching Science Direct
• Critically Evaluating Articles
• Critically Evaluating Websites
• Using the eBook Collections
• Assignment Process
• Structure of an Academic Essay
• Understanding Instructional Words in Essays, Assignments & Exams
• Essay Checklist
• Literature Review
• APA Referencing
• Studying for Exams and Tests
• Tips for taking Exams

Why should I critically evaluate a website?

The internet provides access to a vast amount of information.  However, not all information available online can be considered accurate and reliable.  Because anyone can publish information on the internet it is essential to develop skills to evaluate what you find.  Before using information you find online in an assignment, it is important to judge its accuracy and establish that the information comes from a reliable and appropriate source.

Consider the following criteria before using and citing a website in an assignment:

• Objectivity & Bias

Investigating who the author is and their qualifications can help verify the quality of the information and the credibility of the website.

To judge the author’s credibility find out:

• Is the author identified?  If the author cannot be identified the information could be unreliable.
• What are the author’s qualifications? 
• Is the author an expert in the topic presented on the website?
• What else has the author written?
• Has the author been referenced by other writers?
• Is the author affiliated to an organisation or institution that promotes a particular point of view?
• Is the tone and style of writing factual?
• Are there any grammar and/or spelling errors?

Information about an author is often found at the bottom of the website, via a link to author information or a profile page e.g. about us, background or biography.  To investigate the author’s credibility search for the author online and check academic databases to locate other publications by the author or if the author has been cited by other writers.  Make sure to investigate the author’s area of expertise because if the author is writing on a subject in their field of study the website’s information is more authoritative than information written on a subject outside of the author’s expertise.  Consider the tone, style and quality of the writing.  Inappropriate style and incorrect spelling/grammar may indicate the author’s poor credibility.

Check the domain name of the website as this gives you an indication of the nature and authority of the website.  Use the URL domain name to help determine the type of organisation.  For example:

• .gov or .govt = government
• .org = non-profit organisation
• .co = company
• .com or .net = commercial
• .edu or .ac or .school = academic/educational
• .nz or .au = country-specific website

For example, the domain name tells you that https://www.sit.ac.nz is educational and country-specific.  This shows it is the official website of the Southern Institute of Technology, a New Zealand educational institution. 

Currency asks the question ‘is the information current’?  It is important to know when a website was created, when it was last updated and if all the links are working.  Knowing a website’s currency allows you to judge if a website is up to date with current facts and opinions of a topic or if the information is out of date which may mean it is inaccurate and/or misleading. 

To discover a website’s currency consider the following questions:

• When was the information first posted on the website?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Are there references to recently published materials?
• Are all the links working? 

The date of creation and last update is often found at the bottom of a website.  If a website has no date of publication, the information provided cannot always be dated to a time period.  This makes it difficult to judge if the information represents current opinion of the topic or if the information is out of date.  If the website’s links do not work this indicates that the website is not being maintained and the information presented may not be current. 

When judging the currency of a website it is important to take the topic into consideration.  For some websites regular updating of information is vital.  However, for some types of information such as historical information the authorship and authority is more important than the currency. 

One of the critical steps in evaluating a website is questioning if the information is accurate.

To evaluate a website’s accuracy consider the following questions:

• Is the author affiliated with a known, respectable institution?
• Are references included to identify where any factual information and data comes from?
• Are the references used real, credible and relevant?
• Can you verify the information in another source?
• Is the information consistent with other authors’ findings and websites on the same topic?
• Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling and composition?
• Is a bibliography or reference list included?

Check the accuracy of information found on websites by checking the sources and references used and research the topic to compare the information with other reliable sources.  If you find factual errors, you may want to question the quality and accuracy of the website.

When evaluating a website it is important to investigate if the website is objective or if there is some form of bias.  Bias occurs when an author allows personal opinions, beliefs and/or values to influence how information is presented.  Bias inhibits impartial judgement leading to information being presented in a misleading and/or inaccurate way.

To investigate if a website is objective or biased ask the following questions:

• What is the purpose of this website?  Is it to persuade, present a point of view, disclose, entertain, sell a product or service, justify the author’s own actions/opinions or present data and facts?
• Does the author present objective arguments or is the author expressing their biased opinion without evidence to back up this opinion?
• Is the author affiliated to an organisation or institution that promotes a particular viewpoint?  Is the author promoting this viewpoint on the website?
• Are alternative sides of the issue or topic presented?
• Are there any political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
• Is advertising present on the website?
• Is the website part of a commercial organisation, a political party or an organisation with a specific agenda?  If yes, question the motives for publishing the information.
• What is the objective of those involved in the development of the website?  Does the site show a bias towards the developer’s particular point of view? 

Because anyone can publish on the internet investigating bias is a critical step in deciding if a website is accurate and reliable.  It is important to identify the purpose of the website because this effects how information is interpreted and presented.  When investigating if a website presents an objective discussion of a topic consider who runs the website and if this may affect the interpretation of information.  Also, the presence of advertising may signal a bias towards the advertiser’s products, values and/or beliefs so it is important you assess any advertising on the website. 

When evaluating a website for objectivity and bias check for a sound argument, supporting facts and references that include reliable sources representing more than one point of view.

How do I evaluate websites?

Video credited to OSLIS: Oregon School Library Information System.

OSLIS Secondary Videos. (2016, July 14). Evaluating websites [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxyKHp47EnQ

Checklist for evaluating websites

• Checklist for evaluating websites This checklist is to help you evaluate websites and decide if the information is accurate and reliable.
• << Previous: Critically Evaluating Articles
• Next: Using the eBook Collections >>
• Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 2:27 PM
• URL: https://sitacnz.libguides.com/Study_Toolbox

Evaluating Websites: A Guide to Critical Evaluation of Web Sources

Evaluating sources.

Critical evaluation of sources is an essential part of the research process. Your credibility is dependent upon the quality of your sources. Sources should be authoritative, reliable, relevant and appropriate.

The following can be used as a general guideline for evaluating information found on the web. When in doubt, speak to your professor or ask a reference librarian for assistance.

Additional tips for determining source reliability are available on our Evaluating News page  and Evaluating Sources page .

• scholarly research?
• general educational or factual information?
• an editorial or persuasive argument?
• a sales pitch?
• an advertisement?
• entertainment?
• misinformation?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the publisher of the site likely to have any particular agenda (e.g. political, ideological, commercial)?
• Does the author appear to have a particular bias?

  Relevance

• does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• is the information at an appropriate level for your needs (not too elementary or advanced)?
• would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

 Accuracy

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by facts or evidence? Is it refereed or peer-reviewed?
• If this is a research document, is there an explanation of the research method(s) used?
• Are sources cited? Is there a bibliography?
• When statistics and other types of factual data are presented are they cited so that they may be verified?
• Is the document generally well-written?  Free of spelling mistakes?  Free of typographical errors?

 Currency

• Is currency important to the type of information being presented? (For some types of information or topics, currency may not be important).
• creation date
• revision date
• In cases where there is statistical data or factual data is it indicated when that data was gathered?
• Does the information seem to be out-of-date and therefore irrelevant and/or unreliable?
• Do the links provided on the site work (i.e. do they get you where you need to go)?

 Compare, Contrast, Confirm

• How does the information presented on the web site compare to information you have gathered elsewhere - including other web sites, books, journal articles, interviews, etc.?
• Do the theories or information presented agree or disagree with established scholarship or widely held points of view?
• Can data and pieces of factual information be confirmed using other sources?
• Last Updated: Dec 2, 2022 10:21 AM
• URL: https://libguides.bentley.edu/evaluatingwebsites

Website Evaluation: Introduction

• Introduction
• Spotting Fake News

Table of Contents

Website (information) evaluation: an introduction.

The ability to critically evaluate information is key to the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education . Everyday, of course, each one of us is inundated by information. We feel compelled to make snap judgments about the accuracy and reliability of a wide range of information sources including social media and websites. Such judgments, even if unconsciously made, are frequently motivated by personal belief or experience. Perhaps we trust our professors because of positive experiences with high school teachers or because we trust professors' disciplinary credentials. We might accept the information in a book because it was found in Gitenstein Library or published by Oxford University Press. Maybe we believe a claim because it appeared in a scholarly encyclopedia. We often accept information when it resonates emotionally or comports with our value systems. The point is that our decisions to accept or reject any piece of information, especially in academic and professional settings, should be based on criteria that can be articulated and refined. Avoid snap judgement when evaluating information for college-level work.

The pages of this guide provide suggested criteria for evaluating information on the open web. These criteria are not hard and fast rules but rather guidelines to apply as necessary. Ultimately it is up to you, the student researcher—in consultation with your professor—to determine if a website is appropriate in a particular context. Even popular sites not typically associated with academic research are multivalent, that is open to different interpretations and meanings. A website's academic value therefore depends on your particular information "need" and will not necessarily be the same for all researchers. Evaluate a website not strictly on whether the information it contains is factually accurate—obviously important—but also on the layered meanings, intended and unintended, it conveys. If you can make a strong case for including a non-library website in your bibliography or list of works cited, by all means do so. But please be prepared to articulate for your professor a rationale for its inclusion.

At minimum, ask these questions before incorporating an open website into your bibliography:

• Is this website right for my specific need(s)?
• Does it help to address or resolve the question(s) I need to answer?
• Am I missing some important context for evaluating this website?
• How do my own biases affect how I understand or receive information on this website?
• Would a scholarly journal article or book available from our library work better?

Image credit: Ohio State University Libraries

Guide author.

• Next: Spotting Fake News >>
• Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 10:59 AM
• URL: https://libguides.tcnj.edu/evaluate

Website Evaluation: Evaluating Websites

Evaluating websites.

• Types of Websites

Evaluate with a Critical Eye

• Judging Online Information Tutorial This tutorial explains what to look for when evaluating websites.

Information found online or on social media has six purposes: to entertain, to sell, to persuade, to provoke, to document, or to inform. This information can be categorized into six zones of information.

• advertising
• entertainment
• raw information

Watch this Checkology tutorial to find out more.

How to Evaluate Websites

Website Domains

The Domain level of a website tells you type of entity that owns the website. A .gov website would have the highest credibility ranking and a .net website would have the lowest credibility ranking.

• .gov (U.S. government)
• .mil (U.S. military)
• .edu (university or college)
• .org (non-profit organization)
• .com (commercial)
• .net (network)
• www.wisconsin.gov
• www.wisconsin.edu
• www.wisconsin.com

Are these websites credible?

Check out these sites. What do you think? Use the website evaluation criteria on the right to access the websites.

• All About Explorers
• Birds Aren't Real
• Boilerplate
• Brooklyn Bridge Elephant Stampede
• Mankato, Minnesota
• New Hartford, Minnesota
• New Maine News
• Ova Prima Foundation
• Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
• Petrol Direct
• More fake websites Here are some more fake websites. Check them out!

Websites must be evaluated with a CRITICAL eye.

• Only look at webpages and websites that look to be legitimate, reliable, and credible.
• Look at the the domain.  Is it a high or low ranking domain? (.gov, .edu, .com, .net, etc.)
• Figure out the purpose of the website.  (Advocacy, Business, Informational, News, or Personal)
• Do you recognize the name of the "publisher" or "server"? (CNN.com)
• Is the information appropriate for the domain name?
• Is it a primary or secondary website?
• Is it a personal webpage?
• Is it free of grammatical and spelling errors?
• Does it look professionally designed?
• How much advertising is on the page?  Beware of too much advertising.
• Is the page up-to-date?
• Do the links work?
• Is the information current?
• Look for Helper buttons:  Site map, About us, About this site, etc.
• Delete everything after the .com (.org, .net, .edu) and evaluate the homepage.
• Find out who is behind the information presented on the website and the website owner. Are they credible?
• Verify the information by going to three other sources to make sure the information is accurate.
• Has the information just be copied and pasted from another website?
• Open up another tab along side the website you are evaluating to make it easier to fact check information.
• Verify the evidence presented on the website.
• What do others sources say about the topic?
• Investigating Websites: Verification Handbook This article explains in depth how to investigate websites.

Website Evaluation Criteria: C.A.C.A.O

General W ebsite Evaluation Criteria: Remember C.A.C.A.O

Use the following criteria in the box below when evaluating a website:

What is C.A.C.A.O?

• Objectivity
• The extent to which a topic is explored. 
• The links are accurate and good.
• The page is complete.  
• The information is free. 
• The topic is covered adequately.
• The page has thorough documentation.
• Is the page a primary or secondary site.
• CDC:  Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking
• This article provides information on the health effects of cigarette smoking.
• Number of the Month
• This page gives no documentation, no author, no links, and very little information.
• The author is an expert in the field.
• Look for the author's credentials.
• https://heliuw.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/ward-and-brown-oh-happy-day-2015.pdf
• https://nursing.wisc.edu/staff/ward-earlise/
• Look for links titled "About Us", "Biography", "Philosophy", or "Background"
• Research the author or the organization.
• Search using multiple search engines
• Truncate back to domain name to check publisher's authority
• Look for it in an annotated professional directory
• Check if other websites link to the page. Use different web browsers.
• Example search: link:www.wisconsin.gov
• www.betterwhois.com
• The Jack London Collection
• This website on Jack London has an author, an institutional affiliation, and contact information.
• Life of Amos Bronson Alcott
• Click on biography
• This web page has no author, no institutional affiliation, no contact information.
• The information is up-to-date.
• The page is complete.
• The page is updated regularly.
• New York Times
• The New York Times updates their online newspaper daily and posts the time it was updated.
• Death Penalty Focus
• This site does not have any date showing when it was posted.
• The reliability and correctness of the information.
• Check other web sites to verify the information.
• No spelling and grammatical errors.
• It is free of advertising.
• The sources used to create the data is listed..
• This site does not document the sources used for the statistics posted in the article.

O bjectivity

• The information is factual data and is free from personal bias.
• The tone of the page is balanced and scholarly.
• What is the purpose of the website. Is it to inform, persuade, or appeal to emotions?
• Facts are separated from opinion.
• The information is very detailed.
• The goals or objectives are clear.
• Does the author use inflammatory language or make over generalizations.
• Pro/Con: Cell Phone Radiation
• This site clearly states its both sides of the issue and provides sources.
• This page provides information about cellphone radiation, but is trying to sell you a radiation blocker.
• << Previous: Home
• Next: Types of Websites >>
• Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 1:17 PM
• URL: https://libguides.trschools.k12.wi.us/websiteevaluation

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

10.5 Evaluating Websites

Obviously, the same tests of evidence discussed earlier must be applied to information you find on a website. You need to determine the reputation or authority of the information producer, the accuracy of what you find online, the recency of the information, the completeness of the data, and so forth.

There are many more clues and tips for helping assure you are thoroughly assessing the information you find on a specific site. One of the main considerations when determining how or if information on a website can be used is to understand the reason the online information producer is making the information available. The website’s main goal might be:

Advocacy: attempting to persuade or influence opinion toward a particular position or point of view

Marketing: using the site to promote a particular product or service by providing information to consumers or to other businesses

News: publishing news and information by media companies is an alternative to their traditional delivery methods.

Personal expression: creating personal sites, blogs, or social networking pages allows individuals to express their interests and unique perspectives.

The bottom line here is it’s like the old computer adage: garbage in / garbage out. So, if you want to ensure that you are not producing garbage, make sure you don’t use it.

If you ask, and answer, the following three questions when you go to any website, you should be able to avoid misusing or misunderstanding the information you find:

Who is sharing this information?

Why are they sharing it?

How do they know what they claim to know?

Let’s look at Wikipedia as an example of evaluation. Categorizing Wikipedia is difficult because its contributors may be scholarly experts in their fields, they may be private citizens with some professional or personal knowledge about a topic, but they may also be individuals with misguided information or pranksters whose goal is to deface of this popular site. It also contains obscure information from popular culture or other realms that you may want to learn something about and its contributions are sometimes highly informative and accurate. Because the sources of the information cannot be easily verified or the motivation for providing the information determined, Wikipedia entries can only be used with skepticism and require “second-sourcing” from more authoritative information contributors.

Reading the “About Us” information on any website will give you valuable information about the site creators’ agenda, backers, and mission. But be sure to critically evaluate the self-description and remember the importance of understanding “ambiguous” terms as discussed earlier in this lesson.

Remember also the contributors to the information search that the information strategy model identifies. Private-sector institutional sources are likely to host sites that advance their business, point of view or support for a particular policy or program. Journalistic organizations host websites to disseminate their news content and gather information from their readers. Scholarly websites produced by universities, research centers or individual scholars are generally designed to highlight the academic work of that institution or individual researcher. Informal sources may host family websites, hobby websites, sites to spread a personal philosophy and for many other purposes. It is your responsibility to identify the type of contributor who created that site when you are deciding whether or not to use any information you find there.

Here is a link to a little cartoon with a good explanation of how to evaluate a website:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aem3JahbXfk

Information Strategies for Communicators Copyright © 2015 by Kathleen A. Hansen and Nora Paul is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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6 Criteria for Website Evaluation

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 9, 2024

In a digitally saturated world where information a plentiful commodity, the ability to critically evaluate websites is more important than ever. While several sources offer a multitude of criteria for assessing the credibility and quality of online content, for the purpose of this discussion, we turn to the well-structured framework provided by Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie’s paper presents a clear and concise approach to website evaluation, focusing on six key aspects that are essential for determining the reliability and usefulness of a website. These criteria serve as a practical guide to navigate the digital realm, helping users to discern credible information in an age where data is abundant, but quality is not always guaranteed.

Criteria for Website Evaluation

By adopting Dalhousie University’s framework, we can effectively frame the six main criteria for website evaluation, providing a valuable toolset for anyone looking to critically analyze online content.

1. Authority

When evaluating a website’s authority, you’re essentially assessing the credibility of the source. It’s crucial to determine if the author or organization behind the site has the expertise and qualifications to provide reliable information. Consider the following questions:

• Who is the author or creator of the website, and what are their qualifications or credentials?
• Is there clear contact information or an affiliation with a reputable institution or organization?
• Does the website provide evidence of the author’s expertise, such as related publications or professional background?

The purpose of a website dictates why the information is being presented and can influence its content and approach. Identifying the intent behind a website helps in understanding the angle or bias in the information presented. Ask yourself:

• What is the primary goal of the website (to inform, persuade, entertain, sell)?
• Is the content tailored to a specific audience, such as academics, professionals, or the general public?
• How well does the site stick to its stated or apparent purpose, and how does this affect the information presented?

3. Coverage

Coverage refers to the depth and breadth of the content provided by the website. It involves assessing how extensively the site explores its topics and whether the information is comprehensive or focuses on a specific aspect. Consider these questions:

• Does the site claim comprehensive coverage of its topic, or is it more selective in nature?
• How in-depth does the website go into its chosen subject matter?
• Does the site compare favorably in its coverage of the topic when viewed against other similar websites?

4. Currency

Currency in the context of a website refers to the timeliness and relevancy of the information it presents. In a rapidly changing world, having up-to-date information is crucial, especially in fields like technology, science, or current events. When evaluating currency, consider the following:

• When was the information published or last updated on the site?
• Are there indications that the content is regularly maintained and updated?
• Do the links on the site work, and do they lead to current and active pages?

5. Objectivity

Objectivity is about the impartiality and fairness of the content. Websites can sometimes present information with a certain bias or slant, which is essential to recognize for an accurate understanding. To gauge a website’s objectivity, ask:

• Does the site present information in a balanced manner, or is there a noticeable bias?
• Are different viewpoints and perspectives represented, or does the content seem to push a specific agenda?
• If the site includes advertising, does it interfere with or influence the content in any way?

6. Accuracy

Accuracy is crucial in establishing the trustworthiness of a website. It’s about the correctness of the information provided, including facts, details, and descriptions. When evaluating a website for accuracy, consider these questions:

• Does the site provide sources or references for its information, allowing for verification?
• Are there factual errors, inconsistencies, or unverified claims presented in the content?
• Does the website adhere to basic standards of grammar and spelling, which can often reflect the care taken in preparing the content?
• Is there a bibliography or a list of references that supports the content presented on the site?

Related: The 8 Elements of Critical Thinking

Final thoughts

As we encounter an overwhelming sea of information online, these criteria for websites evaluation serve as essential navigational tools, guiding us towards reliable and credible sources. By applying these standards – Authority, Purpose, Coverage, Currency, Objectivity, and Accuracy – we empower ourselves to make informed decisions, discern quality content, and avoid the pitfalls of misinformation.

Besides evaluation websites, this framework is also about fostering a critical mindset and a discerning eye in our digital interactions. Whether for academic research, personal knowledge, or professional purposes, these criteria ensure that our reliance on the internet is grounded in a foundation of critical thought and informed judgment.

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Research Tutorial

• Introduction
• Understanding Your Assignment
• Developing Key Term from Your Topic
• Creating Searches
• Searching the Library Catalog
• Finding Books on the Shelf
• The Call Number System
• What Are Databases?
• Accessing Databases
• Off Campus Access
• Choosing a Database
• The Mechanics of Searching
• Finding Websites

Evaluating Websites

• What Every Citation Needs
• Citation Formats
• Making the Databases Work for You
• Resources for Citation Formats

Once you have a found a website that you think looks promising, it is very important that you look at it critically to determine what kind of information it holds, how reliable it might be, and whether or not it is appropriate for your research. So how do you do that? By asking a bunch of questions of the website, and poking and prodding at it until you get answers. No, really. Don't believe it? Watch. Let's say you found this article from the New York Times:  An Inadequate Response to Concussions: N..A.A. Guidelines on Head Injuries Fall Short .

So we click on that link, and it brings us to the article. Then we start poking at it by asking questions.

• Whose website is it? That you can usually start to figure out by looking in a few places: the URL (the website address), and the headers of the website are a good place to start. If you're still not sure, look for an "About" page for the website.

So now we know that this article was written for the New York Times. If you don't recognize the name associated with your web site, take a short detour and do a little research on them (hint: the "About" section will probably help with this)! It's important to know, because it helps you determine credibility.

But in this case, we do know that the New York Times is a worldwide newspaper based in New York City, and is generally considered a trustworthy source of news.

But hold up a minute. Just because something was written for a newspaper's website doesn't mean it's entirely factual. Which brings us to:

• What kind of information is it? Is it general information? A technical report? An opinion piece or editorial?

The top of the web page, above the information/article itself, will often give you clues, particularly if you're on a website that has multiple sections. Here we can see that this article is found in the Editorial section of the New York Times' website, and it's an opinion article.

So knowing that it is part of a an opinion article tells us that it is not a regular newspaper article and we should proceed with caution.

• Who is the author? What credentials/expertise does he or she have in the field?

In this case we're told that it was written by the Editorial Board. Often times on newspaper articles, it will have a specific author's name. You might not always be able to find a name-and if you can't, that should make you worry a little bit. In this article, we can go to the bottom of the article to see who is a part of the editorial board by clicking on "Meet the New York Times' Editorial Board."

• How current is the information? Does that matter for your topic?

Again, because this is a newspaper's website, we get lucky and have the date that the article was published right next to the author's name. Most article and blog posts will have a date attached to them, which can be a real help. If your web page doesn't have a "date posted" piece of information, try looking at the bottom of the page for a "page last updated" section. Many websites automatically include that when their owner updates.

• Next we look at the article/information itself. How is it written? Is it just straight–up opinion, or does it give facts and statistics? If it gives any sort of statistics, does it cite the source of them (either formally, in a citation like your professors ask you to do, or informally, saying "As such and such report from Big Agency says. . . ")?

Any time a website starts throwing around facts and statistics and doesn't say where they got them from, be worried. Be very worried. Back away from the website slowly. Our article provides links to their references including a survey the article uses for data:

So now that we have poked and prodded our website, and gotten answers out of it, what can we conclude? In this particular example, we know that our web page is:

• Posted on the New York Times' website, a known, credible newspaper.
• Written by the Editorial Board with viewable journalist credentials.
• Is part of the Editorial Section, so may be more inclined toward opinion than unbiased reporting.
• Quotes statistics, but gives links to the articles they are taken from.

So this page is probably a good starting point in our research, but not something that we could cite in our paper, especially if our professor had specified that we need to use academic journal articles only. BUT! Remember those links we pointed out above? Those could be perfectly acceptable to cite in our paper. Websites are great for this sort of thing—you can get a good overview of a topic, and, if it's a good website, you'll get links/references tol articles that you can track down for your research. Websites are a perfect example of why research is a multi-step process—you might not be able to directly use the information you find on them, but they will often lead you to resources that you can use. So don't stop after the first step, keep going!

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• Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 11:13 AM
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Evaluating Websites

Why evaluate websites.

• Applying the CRAAP Test - Websites
• Activity: Recognizing Advertisements
• Practice Evaluating Websites

The Internet places a wealth of information at your fingertips - but how can you tell which websites offer good information and which ones don't? How do you know whether a website was created by an expert? How can you tell whether the information presented online is true?

This guide on evaluating websites is designed provide you with some basic tools and skills to help you determine whether or not a web resource is credible, whether it presents accurate and well-research information, and more. 

Remember: creating a website is cheap and easy. The burden is on you , the reader, to determine the authenticity and integrity of a website.

Evaluating Resources Tutorial Video

Evaluating Resources Using the CRAAP Test

You can find more tutorial videos on the library's Instruction page .

• Next: CRAAP Test >>
• Last Updated: Jan 20, 2021 3:17 PM
• URL: https://library.an.edu/webeval