Audience

	Consider the intended audience of the page, based on its content, tone and style
	Does this mesh with your needs?

Consider the Source

	Web search engines often amass vast results, from memos to scholarly documents
	Many of the resulting items will be peripheral or useless for your research

	Author/producer is identifiable
	Author/producer has expertise on the subject as indicated on a credentials page. You may need to trace back in the URL (Internet address) to view a page in a higher directory with background information
	Sponsor/location of the site is appropriate to the material as shown in the URL Examples: .edu for educational or research material .gov for government resources .com for commercial products or commercially-sponsored sites
	~NAME in URL may mean a personal home page with no official sanction
	Mail-to link is offered for submission of questions or comments

Accuracy
 

	Don't take the information presented at face value
	Web sites are rarely refereed or reviewed, as are scholarly journals and books
	Look for point of view evidence of bias
	Source of the information should be clearly stated, whether original or borrowed from elsewhere

 

Comprehensiveness
 

	Depth of information: determine if content covers a specific time period or aspect of the topic, or strives to be comprehensive
	Use additional print and electronic sources to complement the information provided

 

Currency
 

Look to see if Site has been updated recently, as reflected in the date on the page Material contained on the page is current

Links
 

	Links are relevant and appropriate
	Don't assume that the linked sites are the best available. Be sure to investigate additional sites on the topic

	Site is laid out clearly and logically with well organized subsections
	Writing style is appropriate for the intended audience
	Site is easy to navigate, including Clearly labeled Back, Home, Go To Top icons/links  Internal indexing links on lengthy pages
	Links to remote sites all work
	Search capability is offered if the site is extensive

(Return to On-Line Sources)