Find an interesting website using Google or another browser? Not sure if you can use it for academic research? It is not always easy to determine if information on the World Wide Web is credible. However, the guidelines below will help you understand clues about the reliability of web resources.
Authority
Who are the authors? Are they qualified? Are they credible?
With whom are they affiliated? Does their affiliation affect their credibility?
Who is the publisher? What is their reputation?
Accuracy
Is the information accurate? Is it reliable and error-free?
Are the interpretations and implications reasonable?
Is there evidence to support conclusions? Is it verifiable?
Do the authors list their sources, references, or citations?
Objectivity
What is the purpose? What do the authors want to accomplish?
Does this purpose affect the presentation?
Is there an implicit or explicit bias?
Is the information fact or opinion?
Currency
Is the information current? Is it still valid?
Has it been superseded by subsequent research?
Coverage
Is the information relevant to your topic and assignment?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the material presented at an appropriate level?
Is the information complete? Is it unique?
If you cannot determine the credibility of the information you are using from a website, it's best not to use it to factually support your argument. Using biased or inaccurate information in your paper can weaken your thesis and negatively impact your grade.
