This and other research guides are on the ACC Library web page,
http://library.sunyacc.edu, under Research Guides & Tutorials.

Adirondack Community College, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804
(518) 743-2260

These guidelines will help you evaluate any information, on the Web or elsewhere.

For more information, see the library’s research guides Web page for How to Search the Web Tutorial and Evaluating Information on the Web. To check if certain Web sites are hoaxes, spam, viruses, etc., go to Purportal.com.

          Name of Web site: __________________________________________________

          Web address:        http://_____________________________________________

Author:

Who is the author, producer or source? Is the author listed?

What is the authority of the author? Are any credentials or background given?

Is the author an expert on this particular topic? What is your evidence?

 Is contact information for the author available? List it if so.

 If by an organization, is their background given? Is it a group’s official site?

Date and Currency:

When did the site start?

When was the information in it produced?

When was the information last updated?

Are all of the links up-to-date, or do some lead to “dead ends”?

For your research topic, does it matter if the information is up-to-date?

Bias/Objectivity:

Does the information offer facts, or opinions? Explain how you can tell the difference between the two.        

What political, cultural or other biases are evident?





Is it comprehensive, covering all aspects or viewpoints of the topic, or does it show selective information?

Is the author trying to sell a product or have other vested interests?

 Content:

What is the purpose of the resource? What does it contain?

 Why did you choose to view this Web site? Choose any that apply:

                                _ It appeared at the top of your search results list
                                _ You decided it was relevant and worth using for your research
                                _ It was given to you in class
                                _ Other:

Do you know enough about the subject to know if this site is accurate?

How can you substantiate the information in this site? Name two books, articles, or reliable Web sites that you could use to fact-check this site:

1)

2)



Who is the audience? Does it match your familiarity with the topic?                                           

Is the Web page clearly organized? Is it designed well?

Are the Web site’s sources cited in a bibliography or webliography?                                      

 Does the information offer primary (original) research, or is it derived or compiled from other information?