Evaluating Internet Sources

• Pay attention to the author’s credentials. Does he/she have a background in the subject area? Is he/she well-respected in his/her field? If so, the source is probably reputable. If the author is anonymous, or lacks credentials (for example, a third-grade class or a first-year composition student), be wary of the source.
• Look for accuracy. If a resource contains facts or statistics that are obviously incorrect, it is probably a poor research tool.
• Determine the level of quality control. Peer-reviewed resources are generally of a higher quality. So are resources that have passed the eyes of a professional editor.
• Look for objectivity. While it is acceptable to use an opinion-based document as a research tool, recognize that it is subjective and use it accordingly.
• Use common sense. If a resource contains poor grammar, misspellings, or serious errors in punctuation, it immediately loses credibility.