The Internet is a vast resource for finding information. Various entities create Web sites without any central authority
for controlling the information contained on these sites. You should be cautious and use judgment when selecting
information presented on a Web site. The following criteria provide some guidance for evaluating Web resources.
Author
Who is responsible for the site's content? The author can be an individual, organization, or corporation.
What are the author's credentials and what is the author's area of subject expertise?
Can you contact the author by telephone, email or through a postal address?
Signed sources should be your first choice as a reliable source.
If you cannot identify who is responsible for the Web page, the information is questionable.
Authority
Look at the domain name at the end of the URL (unique resource locator). Some general domain extensions include:
Domain
Entity
.biz
Small and medium sized companies
.com
Company and personal Web sites
.edu
Educational institution
.gov
United States government agency
.info
Special products, events, interests, and services
.mil
Military site
.name
Personalized Web site
.net
Internet service provider
.org
Nonprofit organization
The following provides some examples of country-specific domain extensions:
Domain
Entity
.ac.uk
Higher education (United Kingdom)
.co.uk
Commerce (United Kingdom)
Some other country-specific domains include:
.ca (Canada), .de (Germany), and .jp (Japan).
Use information from recognized and well-known government agencies, trade and professional associations, major
universities, and Fortune 500 companies.
Personal Web sites vary widely in accuracy and should be used with caution. A tilde (~) preceding a person's name in a
URL indicates a personal Web site.
Bias/Objectivity
Who is the intended audience?
Is the Web page an advertising vehicle?
Is a product being promoted?
Does the author or publisher have a particular bias? For instance, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the gun
control lobby have opposing viewpoints.
Information from businesses, political or pressure groups, lists devoted to non-academic or research missions,
newsgroups and advocacy groups are promoting particular viewpoints.
Look for the Web site's stated purpose to determine any possible bias, such as religious, cultural or political.
Web Site Maintenance
Are the links active or dead?
Reliable Web sites redirect you to active links.
Web Site Currency
When was the Web site last revised?
Is the revision date over one or two years old?
Web Site Coverage
What topics are covered? In what depth?
How does the information compare to print sources and other Web sites?
Does the Web site refer you to additional sources of information in print or online?
Finding the Best Web Sites: Web Reviews and Rankings
To find Web directories and search engines that are reviewed and rated, go to the Minuteman Library Network homepage
at http://www.mln.lib.ma.us/ and select Internet Resources, which
gives selected Massachusetts-related links along with Web directories and search engines.
For search engine reviews and ratings go to the following sites:
