CMP 200 - Morris: Evaluating Sources

• Who is the "publisher" (organization, company, person) of the web site?
  • Is the publisher the official site for an association?
  • Is the publisher a recognized authority in the field?
  • Is there an address, phone number, or other contact information provided for the publisher?
  • Will it be possible to find background information about this publisher?
  • Is this publisher an appropriate resource for the information being presented?
• Who is the author?
  • Is a personal author identified for the information, articles, or documents presented at the web site? 
  • Do you know that this author is respected in his/her field? Is it clear what his/her credentials are?
  • Is there biographical information provided? Will it be possible to find background information about this author?
  • Is there a way to contact the author?

Tip: A reference librarian may be able to recommend resources which will help you learn more about the publisher and author!

• First, use the "domain" of the URL to determine what type of site you are looking at:
  • .edu = educational site
  • .com = commercial site
  • .gov = U.S. government site
  • .org = non-profit organization site (usually, but not always)
  • .mil = U.S. military sites and agencies
  • .net = networks/Internet Service Providers
  • ~    = usually indicates a personal home page
• Is the publisher of the site likely to have any particular agenda (e.g. political, philosophical, commercial)?
• Does the author appear to have a particular bias?

Tip: When in doubt, search for domain name ownership information at WHOIS.

• What is the purpose of the web site?  Why is this information being provided? Is it:
  • scholarly research?
  • general educational or factual information?
  • an editorial or persuasive argument?
  • a sales pitch?
  • an advertisement?
  • entertainment?
  • misinformation?
  • a hoax?
• Who is the intended audience? 
• Does the information presented appear to be complete and comprehensive?
• Are there links provided to other sources of information on this same topic?  

• If this is a research document is there an explanation of the research method(s) used?
• Is there a bibliography?
• When statistics and other types of factual data are presented are they cited so that they may be verified?
• Is the document generally well-written?  Free of spelling mistakes?  Free of typographical errors?

• Is currency important to the type of information being presented? (For some types of information currency may not be important).
• Are any of the following dates provided?
  • creation date
  • post date
  • revision date
• In cases where there is statistical data or factual data is it indicated when that data was gathered?
• Does the information seem to be out-of-date and therefore irrelevant and/or unreliable?
• Do the links provided on the site work (i.e. do they get you where you need to go)?

• How does the information presented on the web site compare to information you have gathered elsewhere - including other web sites, books, journal articles, interviews, etc.?
• Do the theories or information presented agree or disagree with established scholarship or widely held points of view?
• Can data and pieces of factual information be confirmed using other sources?