Consider the following when determining if a sources is credible:
Relevance and Coverage
- What topics are covered?
- What does this page offer that may not be found elsewhere?
- What is its value? Is the information useful? (To its intended audience)
- How in-depth is the material? Does it just skim the topic or give a lot of details?
Currency
- Is the page dated?
- When was the site created? Is it older than 5 years?
- When was the site last updated?
- How current are the links? Have some expired or moved?
- Have you found more current information from other sources?
Authority
- Is there an author listed?
- Is the author qualified to give information on the subject? Is he or she an expert?
- Who is the sponsor of the site? Can they be trusted?
- Is there any information provided about the author or sponsor, or a link to it?
- If no author or sponsor is given, is there any other way to determine the site’s origin?
Accuracy
- Is the information reliable and error-free?
- Is there an editor or someone who checks the information?
- Can you find the same information from another source?
- Are there any sources cited?
Objectivity
- Does the site attempt to present opinions as facts?
- Are all sides of the subject or argument presented or accounted for?
- Is the page designed to sway your opinion toward a certain idea or belief?
- Is there advertising on the page?
- Is the author or sponsor well known for their strong beliefs?
