Evaluating Online Information

Evaluation Criteria for Finding High Quality Information Online

When you use a search engine, a guide like this one, or a web directory to find information related to your research topic, how do you know that what you find is useful and reliable?  If you learn to critically evaluate the information you find, you'll be able to make that determination.  In this guide, you'll learn some criteria you can use to find reliable, high-quality information.

In the social media echo-chamber,  people often challenge the accuracy or truth of the information they find online. Claims of "Fake News" and political bias are frequently made with the intended purpose of trying to cast doubt on the accuracy of reporting or even scientific research. For this reason it is important that we as information consumers use our critical thinking skills to make decisions about what information we rely on. 

When evaluating web resources, there are many questions you should try to answer about the source of information. Visit the sections linked on the left for more information about each of the evaluation criteria listed below.

1. Accuracy  -- Is the information factual and accurate?

2. Authority -- Is it clear who the author is?

3. Content/Objectivity  -- What is the purpose of the page or site?

4. Currency  -- How recent is the information? Can you tell when the information was first created or last updated? 

5. Documentation/Coverage  -- Does the page verify or document it's claims?