Robert J. Kibbee Library

 

EVALUATING WEBSITES

 

Remember – anyone can put anything on the Internet.

What should you look for in a website?

• CHECK THE SOURCE.

Domains

• .edu -- educational site (usually a university or college)
• .com -- commercial business site
• .gov -- U.S. governmental/non-military site
• .mil -- U.S. military sites and agencies
• .net -- networks, internet service providers, organizations
• .org -- U.S. non-profit organizations and others

2. DETERMINE PAGE AUTHORSHIP

You can tell a lot about the authenticity of a page by finding out all you can about its author/publisher.

Ask yourself this: Who is responsible for the page you are accessing? Is it a governmental agency or other official source? A university? A business, corporation or other commercial interest? An individual? As a rule of thumb, you can generally rely on the GOV and EDU hostnames to present accurate information. The NET, ORG, MIL, and COM domains are more likely to host pages with their own personal or organizational agendas and might require additional verification.

3. CHECK THE VITAL INFORMATION

A reputable Web page will usually provide you with the following information:

• Last date page updated
• Mail-to link for questions, comments
• Name, address, telephone number, and email address of page owner

Now ask yourself this: If the page owner is not readily recognizable, does he provide you with credentials or some information on his sources or authority?

1. CHECK FOR COMMERCIAL INTERESTS

Is the author of the page trying to promote a product? Is it overtly an advertisement?

Prepared by Prof. Jeanne Galvin, Kingsborough Community College, March 11, 2005
Portions Adapted from a page prepared by Ellen Chamberlain, University of South Carolina Beaufort

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