If it's on the Web, does that make it true?

Google can be a great searching buddy - it helps us to find all kinds of information on the Web. But one thing Google can't do is evaluate whether or not the information it finds is accurate, biased, useful, or reliable.

Before you use any kind of information - whether from the Internet or from a print source - you should think critically about it. Here are some questions to ask:

Authority
Who is the author?
Is the author a qualified expert in the field?
What is her/his occupation, position, education, experience?
What are her/his credentials?
Who endorsed or published the information?

Objectivity
What is the purpose of publication? Does the material inform? Explain? Persuade?
Are assumptions, personal bias and opinions clearly stated?
Is information presented in a clear and reasonable fashion?
Are conclusions supported by facts?
Is the site supported by advertising or run by a business?
Is the author affiliated with particular organizations, institutions, or associations?

Accuracy
What were the author's sources?
Was the work peer reviewed and/or edited?
Is the work free of grammatical and typographical errors?
Do facts and conclusions check out with other reputable sources?

Currency
When was the work written and published?
Are the author's sources up-to-date?
Has the information been updated or revised?
Is there provision for corrective feedback to the author?

Scope
Is it clear what topics are covered?
Are they covered in sufficient depth?
What is their relevance to your research?

For more information, read the library's guide to Evaluating Internet Information.