Baker 3150: Evaluating Information

Currency: When was the information published or last updated?

Relevance: What is the depth/coverage of info? Who is the intended audience?

Authority: Who wrote the information? What are their credentials? Are they affiliated with a company? A non-profit? A university? **Look for a Contact Us or About Us page.**

Accuracy: Are there any citations? Do the links work? Where are the links going? Can you verify the information elsewhere?

Purpose: Does the website aim to teach? Inform? Sell? Entertain? Persuade? Is it .gov? .edu? .com?

Quick Tips

• Check the "About" or "Contact" links to see if a physical address or phone number exists
• Look for a last updated or copyright date
• Be mindful of the URL - personal web pages often include the person's name
• Check the extension - .org, .com, .net, .edu, etc.
• Check for errors in spelling or page format
• Beware of broken links 
• Look for a "Disclaimer" link