Evaluating Websites

Determining if a website is valid or not can sometimes be very tricky. Some information on websites seems like it can be (or is) true. At other times, by critically reading the information yourself, you can determine that the information is probably not true. Below are some tips on how to distinguish valid websites from websites that provide false information:

Websites ending in .edu are valid because they are associated with a university.
Be careful about using .com websites because any person can create this type of website.
Using search engines such as Google Scholar will provide valid website results.
You can trust the results (websites) you receive using search engines and checking the peer-reviewed box. These websites are valid and have been corroborated by others.
Websites should be professional looking.
Check to see if the website has been updated recently.
If the website is authored by an organization, it is more likely to be valid.
Check to see if the site lists other websites where you can confirm its contents.
Do a search of the website on other websites and see what they have to say about it.
Check to see if the website has been professionally reviewed.
View other websites on the same topic to see if they corroborate the information on the website you are unsure about.
Use your common sense—if you know, suspect or are unsure that the information is false, research to determine if it is true or not.
Encyclopedias are sources of valid information and can be used to check if other sources are valid or not.
If you are still unsure after using the above tips, ask your teacher. He or she will put it before the class and together the class will determine if the website is valid or not.