Evaluating A Website 2019
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bakloutifatmaEvaluating A Website 2019
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COMPREHENSION LAB
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Evaluating a Website
10 Questions to determine whether the information is Trustworthy & Reliable
1. Is the website trying to sell or promote 6. Is the material on the website peer-reviewed?
a particular product or service? • Peer-review is the gold-standard for
• If yes, keep in mind that the information academic research because it helps to
provided on the website may be skewed to help ensure that information is properly vetted by experts
make the sale. in the field for quality and accuracy.
2. Is the website affiliated with an 7. Is the website maintained, affiliated with, or accredited
organization, group, or political party that by a reputable organization?
has a particular point of view, ideology, or agenda? • The reputation of an affiliated organization can
• If yes, be aware of what their point of view, provide clues about the value or accuracy of the
ideology, or agenda is and how it may bias the information.
information provided on the website. 8. Does the material on the website contain biases,
3. Does the website provide the author’s logical fallacies, misconceptions, assumptions, or
name and credentials? unsubstantiated claims?
• Anonymity can encourage authors to • Evidence of these problems with argumentation are
make unsubstantiated or inflammatory claims. signs that the information may not be accurate.
4. Does the website have an editor or editorial board? 9. Does the material on the website offer citations
If so, does it provide the editor’s names to support claims? Are the sources credible?
and credentials? • In general, websites that provide citations to
• Information that is moderated by an support claims tend to be more reliable.
editor or editorial board may be more reliable. 10. Does the material on the website provide a list
5. Does the website provide contact of works cited?
information for the author and/or editor? • Providing a list of works cited is not only
• The availability of content information good form for information that includes research, it is
for the author and/or editor demonstrates also an invaluable resource for locating additional
greater responsibility for the information being information on the subject.
shared.
8 Most Common Types of Websites (& What They Do)
Government Websites are maintained by government agencies to provide Social Media Websites allow users to network, collaborate, or share
information or services to the public. information.
Typical domain: .gov / Example: www.whitehouse.gov Typical domain: .com / Example: www.facebook.com
Education Websites represent public or private institutions that provide Information Websites offer information, such as facts, statistics,
educational services, such as schools and universities. data, research studies, and collections. These may include online
Typical domain: .edu / Example: www.excelsior.edu encyclopedias, research databases, and archives.
Organization Websites represent groups with a specific mission, cause, or Typical domains: .edu, .gov, .org, .com, or .info / Example:
agenda. These include advocacy groups, philanthropic organizations, and www.gutenberg.org
political parties. Personal Websites promote a specific person or their ideas. These
Typical domains: .org or .com / Example: www.aclu.org include online resumes and blogs.
News Websites provide information about local, national, and/or Typical domain: .com / Example: www.gatesnotes.com
international current events. Commercial Websites promotes goods and services, such as online
Typical domains: .org, .com, or .info / Example: www.nytimes.com retail outlets and company home pages.
Typical domains: .com, .biz, .info / Example: www.amazon.com
The contents of this work were developed under grant #P116F150077 from the U.S. Department of
Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of
Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
