Unit 9: Evaluating the Internet

Lesson 8: Sources

Consider the sources listed on the website you have accessed. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if the site contains information from credible sources.

1. Does the site include citations? Does the author cite information gleaned from other resources? Be skeptical of sites that do not include citations. 
   
   
2. Does the author use credible resources? Does the author use a variety of scholarly resources to support his or her arguments? Did the author use the latest information available? Do other sites on the same topic cite some of the same sources?
   
   
3. Does the author include a bibliography? Does the bibliography reflect a comprehensive overview of published works on the subject? Bibliographies authenticate citations.
   
   
4. Are the citations correct? Has the author correctly and consistently cited his or her sources? Can you find these sources? If not, be suspicious.
   
   
5. Does the website include links to other sources? Reliable websites typically have links to expert sites on the same topic.   

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