Suggested Internet Sources
One of the benefits of using library sources is that they've already been evaluated for credibility by librarians. When you decide to use sources from Google, you need to do the evaluation on your own. Whenever you use research sources outside of the library, be sure to consider the following criteria for each site you use.
Authority: Research the author of your site. Is the person a subject-area expert? If no author is listed and the site is published by an organization, would the organization be considered an expert in the field?
Accuracy: Does the author provide citations, a bibliography, or links to corroborate the research presented?
Currency: How old is the information on the site? When was the site last updated? For this course, your information can be no older than five years old (2011-2016).
Purpose: Is the information on the site written to inform the reader, or sell a product? Is the author biased in any way?
Relevancy: Is the web site source the best possible place to find this information?
If the web site you plan to use meets the criteria above, it could be considered a credible source for research. If it does not meet criteria in one or more of the areas above, it may not be a credible source. You would be wise to find the information in a more trustworthy source.
