Evaluating Internet Sites

There is a wealth of information on the Internet - some of it very useful, but much of it unreliable or inaccurate! Selection of sites which can be of VALUE to you in your research requires careful critical evaluation and good judgment!

AUTHOR
Who is the author of the page? ____________________________________
Is the author the original creator of the information? Yes No Can't Tell
Is the author's occupation, years of experience, position, or education listed? Yes No
With this information, is the author qualified to write on the topic? Yes No Can't Tell

AFFILIATION
What institution (company, government, university, etc.) supports this web page?
____________________________________
Does the author's affiliation with this institution bias the information? Yes No

SCIENTIFIC CREDENTIALS
Is the information in a regularly-published peer-reviewed scientific paper? Yes No

CURRENCY
When was the information created or last updated? _________________

PURPOSE
What appears to be the primary purpose for this information? (For example, does it tell you something, teach you something, or sell you something?)
____________________________________________________________________

AUDIENCE
Who is the intended audience? ____________________________

CONCLUSION
Given all the information you determined from above, is this site an appropriate source of information for your topic? Yes No




This web page is based on http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/inform.htm

Professor Owen K. Davis, Ph.D.
Department of Geosciences
University of Arizona
Last updated March 17, 2004.