From the Joyner Library, East Carolina University http://media.lib.ecu.edu/reference/howdoi/display.cfm?id=42.0
Use the following 5 questions when evaluating the information provided
by a Web page to determine its credibility:
1. Who Created the Web Page?
- Is the author/creator identified?
- What are their qualifications?
- Have you heard of them?
- Do they provide contact information?
- Does the website indicate a source of funding?
2. When Did They Create it?
- Does the page tell you when it was created?
- Is it updated? How often?
- Does it need to be updated?
3. Why Did They Create it?
- What purpose does this Web page serve?
- What does the author get out of creating it?
- What does this tell you about the reliability of the information this site offers?
4. What Perspective does it Represent?
- What point of view does the site emphasize: For example, if the site deals with abortion, is it Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, or neutral?
- Is the site reasonable or strident in tone? Does it support its arguments with facts or with rhetoric?
- What issues doesn't the site address?
5. Is the Information Reliable?
- Does it fit with what you've found elsewhere?
- Is the information supported with references or sources?
- Is the site well edited as far as spelling and grammar?
- Does the site emphasize image (such as flashy graphics) or substance (quality content)?
