Rate My Source - a University of Wisconsin tool. Based on your answers, Rate My Source will assess whether your source is appropriate for university level research.
Don't believe everything you read. Ask some critical questions about every website:
Currency
- Does it indicate when the page was written or last updated?
- Are there dead links?
- Is the information current enough for your topic?
Relevance
- Does the information directly relate to your topic?
- Is the level and depth of the information appropriate?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Did you compare a variety of sources to determine which one works best?
Accuracy
- Is the information supported by evidence or sources that can be verified?
- Is there a bibliography / references list?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Is the information free of spelling mistakes, poor grammar, and typos?
Authority
- Does it indicate who wrote the information?
- Is an author or institution responsible for the page?
- Are the author’s credentials given?
- Is there evidence that the author is an expert on the subject?
Purpose
- Does the content seem biased? (one-sided or extreme)
- Is it written to inform? (not to sell, entertain or persuade)
- Are there ads on the site?
