Evaluating Web Resources
Because web resources frequently do not use traditonal forms of peer review or the editorial functions associated with academic publishing, it is the responisbility of the user to determine the perspective, agenda, veracity, and appropriateness of such materials for academic research.
Establishing the Source

Can you determine the author's identiy, credentials, and institutional affiliation? If the site uses .edu, or .gov in its URL the site has some affilation with an educational institutiion or government, as opposed to .com and .org, which are available to the general public.

When and where was it written?

Any omissions in identifying the origins and responsibility of the source raise questions about its reliability.

Is the approach Scholarly?

Does the author provide documentation, cite other sources, give recommendations for further readings from reputable publishers? When and where were the recommended sources published?

What are the links to that page? (a Google advanced search shows this). Do other authoritative sources seem to associate with the site?

Does the site seem balanced and concerned with presenting opposing sides of an argument? How objective is the argument? Does it distinguish between opinion and verifiable facts?

Web-Reviews

As with other sources consult reviewing sources for assessments of web resources. Librarians Index to the Internet, The Internet Scout Report, College and Research Library News Internet Resources Index.




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