Elementary Library: Credible Sources

Evaluating Websites

The internet is an uncontrolled environment. Virtually any person can publish almost anything on the internet. As a researcher, it is your job to make sure you have the best, most accurate information. When not using a database, you must evaluate a website you find because:

• The information could be out of date for your topic.
• The person who wrote it might not have enough expertise in the subject area.
• The information might not be suitable to your research needs. (Too technical or maybe not enough details.)