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Evaluating Sources: Websites

An overview of evaluating sources, including strengths of different source types.

Start with the 5 W's

Who?

Who wrote the website or the information on it?

Do I trust them?

Are they an expert?

Is the site or author affiliated with a reputable organization?

Who is the site intended for?

What?

What is the purpose of the website? Is it to inform? Sell?

What is the website like?

How is it set up?

When?

When was the website created?

When was the information last updated?

Where?

Where is the information from?

Does the author give their sources?

Where is the author from? Are they affiliated with a university or organization? Employed by a company?

Why?

Why was the site created?

Why should anyone use this website?

Why is this site better than others you have looked at?