Every time you look at a web page, there are some key questions you should be asking questions to decide whether or not it's reliable and credible. These can be grouped into major areas: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency and coverage.
Check out this Cornell University library website about evaluating web pages.
1. Accuracy of Web Documents
- Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
- What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
- Is this person qualified to write this document?
2. Authority of Web Documents
- Who published the document and is it separate from the "Webmaster?"
- Check the domain of the document, what institution publishes this document?
- Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?
3. Objectivity of Web Documents
- What goals/objectives does this page meet?
- How detailed is the information?
- What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?
4. Currency of Web Documents
- When was it produced?
- When was it updated?
- How up-to-date are the links (if any)?
5. Coverage of the Web Documents
- Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents' themes?
- Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
- Is the information presented cited correctly?
