RIT Home

Directories

Info Center/SIS

Evaluating Information From the Internet

Information located on the Internet is unmonitored. Anyone can create a homepage or put an opinion up on the web. Without the monitoring apparatus associated with the indexing and abstracting and research databases typically found in libraries it is hard to judge the quality of the information. Below are listed some of the major criteria you should look at when determining whether or not to use the information you find on the Internet. Ask yourself the questions listed below each criteria in relation to the sites that you find. They should help you to qualify the information.

Authority

• Is the material signed by a specific author?
• Is he/she affiliated with an organization?
• Is the organization reputable?
• Is there information about the organization on the webpage?
• Is there a bibliography supporting the information presented?
• Are the authors credentials available?
• Is there contact information available?

Content (How can I tell if this site is likely to contain what I want?)

• Is there a table of contents?
• What is the depth of the coverage? (Actual Data? List of Links? Opinion?)
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the purpose of the webpage stated?
• Are there appropriate links to related sources?
• Is the site unique or can this material be found elsewhere?
• Does the name of the sponsoring body lead you to expect certain information?

• Is there a search engine to do keyword searching?
  

• Are there gross errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
• Is there a bibliography or references to verify the source material?
• Are there misleading or questionable statements?
• Are there supporting documents or statistics?

• Is there any statement of intent or purpose?

• Is there obvious bias?

• Can you determine the purpose of the author or organization sponsoring the page?
  advertising? advocacy? activism? informative?

• When was the material first written or posted?
• When was it last updated?
• How often is it updated?
• Do the links work?

• Does the webpage load appropriately?
• Are there dead links?

• Is the media used appropriate to the content?
• Can the reader send comments to the author(s) or join an online discussion group?
• Is the webpage easy to navigate or confusing?

Maintained by Linda Coppola