A Website Evaluation ChecklistHere are some basic questions that you should ask yourself as you search for information on the Internet. The more of these questions that you can answer "yes" to, the more likely it is that the web site you are considering is a reliable source of information. This list is based on the Author-Website-You triangle discussed on Tips for Searching the Web. Read Tips for Searching the Web for more information on how to get a "yes" answer for each question below. Need more information on evaluating info on the Internet?
The Author:
 | Is the author, whether a single person or a group of people, an expert? |
| | Is there a way to contact the author(s) for more information or to verify who they are? |
| | Does the author use real, checkable facts to support his or her opinions? |
| | Does the author use neutral language, regardless of his or her opinion about the subject? |
The Website:
| | Does the page have an .edu, .org, or .gov ending in its URL? |
| | Is there a date that shows when the page was last updated? |
| | Is the page complete, containing no broken links or "under construction" pages? |
| | Is the page well designed and easy to navigate, without too much scrolling or clicking? |
| | Is this information published elsewhere in hardcopy, such as in a newspaper or journal? |
| | Is the content of the page well written, with few grammar and spelling mistakes? |
Your Needs:
| | Is this site appropriate for your needs? |
| | Did you make a checklist of what a reliable site about your topic would be like? |
| | Will your instructor be impressed when s/he sees this site in your works cited list? |
| | Have you looked at at least 5 sites about this topic? |
