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Web Searching: Evaluating Information

Reliable Sponsor? Check to see who sponsors the Web site.

.gov (United States government)

.edu (college, university or school)

.org (organizational sites) - sources' reputations vary

.com (company)

.net (networks and others)

.mil (military)

Accuracy: factual information?

No grammar mistakes, misspellings or typos

Author: What are author's authority and credentials?

Content: Does the site include what you need? What is its coverage of the topic?

Completeness and Clarity: Is the site complete? readable?

Date:  Currency and reliability

Contacts: Is there any contact information?

Objectivity: Do you see any evidence of bias on the Web page?

Purpose:  Is the purpose clear? Intended audience? Is it objective or biased? Inform or persuade?

References:  Is the source scholarly?  Does it list references?