Background Information
Government Websites
Search Engines
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When using websites you will need to determine whether or not a particular resource fits the requirements of your assignment.
To evaluate a website, use the following criteria:
Authority
1. What type of organization published this site? (.edu, .gov, .org, .com).
2. Who is the author, publisher or source?
3. Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
4. Is there contact information for the author?
Accuracy
1. Where does the information come from?
2. Is the information supported by evidence?
3. Has the information been reviewed (Peer reviewed)?
4. Can you verify the information in another source?
5. Are there spelling, grammar or typing errors?
Currency
1. When was the page created?
2. When was the page last updated?
3. Do the links on the page work?
4. Does your topic require current information?
Relevance:
1. Does the information relate to your topic?
2. Who is the intended audience?
3. Is the information appropriate? Is it too elementary or too advanced for your needs?
4. Do the links lead to other reputable sites?
Purpose
1. Always ask, why was this written and for whom.
2. Is the purpose of this site to teach, inform, entertain, sell or persuade?
3. Look for links that say "Who we are? or "About us".
4. Is the information factual, opinion or propaganda?
5. Is the point of view objective or impartial?
6. Are there political, religious, cultural, ideological or personal biases?
7. Is advertising clearly differentiated from the informational content?
The guidlines on this page are designed to assist you in evaluating websites for your research. In addition to these guidelines, the library has provided a list of websites useful for locating background information and statistics.
Country Profiles
The following websites are useful resources for additional citation help
Statistics and Surveys
Open Access Journals
