Evaluate Information

All formats:

• Who is the publisher? (E.g. university press, commercial publisher, government agency)
• Is the publisher reputable?
• If the content includes research, who sponsored it? (E.g. an organization, corporation or government agency)

Specific to websites:

• Why do they sponsor the site?
• Is contact information available?
• What does the website domain tell you?

All formats:

• Title page or container
• Reviews in reputable publications such as newspapers and Library Journal or CHOICE

Specific to websites:

• "Contact Us" or "About Us" page
• Domain (ending of web address)
  • .org - usually a nonprofit organization
  • .edu - college or university
  • .gov - government
  • Full List of Domains

All formats:

• Who wrote the content?
• What expertise does the author have?
• What are the author's qualifications? (E.g. education, employment, past writings)

All formats:

• Biographical description on item
• Look up author or group in a search engine, like Google

Specific to websites:

• "Contact Us" or "About Us" page

All formats:

• Is the publication date listed? How old is it?
• Does the age of the information fit the requirements of your assignment?

Specific to websites:

• Are links current? Do they work?

All formats:

• Title page or container
• Copyright dates

All formats

• Does author cite sources? (I.e. a bibliography, links to outside websites, etc.)
• Are topics covered in-depth or only briefly?
• Are there spelling or grammar errors?
• Is it clear and well organized?
• Was this written for a popular audience or a scholarly one?
• Are the facts accurate? Is the author's research method valid?

• Examine contents of resource itself

All formats:

• What is the author's purpose? (E.g. report, inform, present opinion, sell a product)
• What is the information based on? (E.g. opinion, experience, interviews, research)
• Does the author express opinions?
• Do they promote an agenda or ask for action on your part on a particular issue?
• Is someone trying to sell you something?
• Are there ads associated with the content?
• What is the point of view of the author, publisher or sponsor?
• Does this information contain bias, prejudice, deception or manipulation?
• Is it possibly a joke or satire?

All formats:

• Descriptions of the author or publisher on the item
• Look up author / group in search engine, like Google
• Requests for donations, such as links that say "Donate" or "How to Help"
• Snopes.com: Information about Internet hoaxes, rumors and scams

Specific to websites:

• "About Us" or "Contact Us" pages