How to Evaluate Information--Checklist

Home > Evaluating the Quality of Information on the Internet > How To Evaluation Information--Checklist

How To Evaluate Information--Checklist

Identify the Source

Who is providing the information?

Check domain ownership.

Whois look-up at Domain Tools

Utilities at CentralOps.net

Learn how to decode a Web address and detect Web site spoofing.

Read "about us" and author bios.

Examine links to and from other Web sites.

Anyone can publish a Web site.

Examples illustrating source identification:

	GigaLaw (clearly indicated)
	AllRefer.com (multiple sources different from site owner)
	Gatt.org (masked)

Discover the Source's Expertise

Is the source an expert or authority?

Examine credentials in author bios and "about us" pages.

Examine grammar and spelling.

Examine links to and from other Web sites.

Look for other publications by the author or publisher.

Amazon.com

U.S. Copyright Search

Library of Congress Online Catalog

Independently verify credentials.

	College degrees--call registrar's office
	Professional associations--check professional directory
	Is the person cited as an expert in the news or trade literature?
	Has the person published articles in trade literature or peer-reviewed publications?

Examples illustrating reputation:

	Greg Notess
	Bio (questionable expertise)

Determine the Level of Objectivity

Does the source provide a balanced viewpoint?

	Examine the writing style. Is it trying to influence your opinion?
	Examine the advertising. Does it influence the content?
	Lack of objectivity does not necessarily mean the source provides substandard information. A persuasive writer intends to win your favor. S/he might use good facts and analysis to do so.

Examples illustrating objectivity:

	Cancer information at the National Cancer Institute (balanced)
	Institute for Historical Review (biased; hate site)
	Not Just Another Scare (biased; undocumented claims)

Establish the Date of Publication

Is the information current at the time of publication?

	Examine creation and revision dates. Do not rely on dates provided by search engines. (See It's Tough to Get a Good Date with a Search Engine)
	Review facts and analysis in historical context.
	Assess the writing for time-sensitive information. Be cautious about descriptive words such as always, never, all, none and most.
	Be aware of scripting that creates the current date (display source code to detect)
	Stay away from undated information whether it is presented as fact or commentary.

Examples illustrating timeliness:

	Needed: Semantic Web (dates clearly indicated)
	Secondhand Smoke: The Big Lie (questionable information at time of publication)
	Breast Cancer Statistics (undated facts and commentary)

Verify What the Information Claims

Can you find two or more reliable sources that provide the same information?

	Use primary sources (sources that originate information) for facts.
	Secondary sources (sources that interpret facts) should provide cited references.
	Look for cited references.
	Reliable sources meet all the quality criteria.

Why verification is important:

	Johns Hopkins Tragedy: Could Librarians Have Prevented a Death?
	The Blame Game
	Determine Where To Conduct Research (Internet vs. the Library)

Teaching Legal Professionals How To Do Research