Facts that make a website credible

Five possible facts that make a company or author credible, authoritative source:

1. Author is associated with a four year university.

2. Author or company is an authority or expert on the subject and is reputable in their field..

3. A bibliography or works cited is included.

4. Active links are available showing various points of view, are easy to navigate,

updated with the current issues, and provide the latest information.

5. Authors can be reached both by e-mail and a postal address.

Sites NOT to use:

1. Author is unclear or NO contact information is available except for e-mail addresses.

2. Author is a student at a college, high, middle or elementary school.

3. Links are inactive and offer only one point of view, outdated information or are hard to navigate.

4. Spelling and grammar is incorrect.

5. Information is poorly presented, hard to download, or incomplete.

Validity / Accuracy

 

Points to consider when checking websites for accuracy:

1. Sources for facts are clearly cited from more than one source so they can be verified.

2. Information is free of grammatical and spelling errors.

3. An editor or author is listed who assumes responsibility for accuracy of information.

 

Objective / Biased

Objectivity or bias can affect information presented, consider the following points when viewing wesites:

1. Content presents more than one viewpoint.

2. Author or organization promotes a specific viewpoint.

3. Advertising is clearly seperate from the information or facts presented.

4. Content of information is clear as to the purpose or reason it is being presented.

 

Further information on website evaluation:

Kathy Schrock's website on the ABC's of Web Site Evaluation.

 

 

 

 

©DGreen 2006