Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Ultimately, when you are looking at web pages, information accuracy is extremely important.
You want to make sure that what you are reading can be used in your research.
There are strategies to help you determine whether a webpage contains accurate or reliable information.
As you dive into the webpage, check to see whether the information you’re seeing
matches with other information you’ve come across, especially in print resources.
Pay attention to whether the site appears to be well-researched.
In other words, does it draw information from other reputable sources and provide references to that information?
Evidence is important in determining the accuracy of the content.
Likewise, if links are provided, does the page link to reputable sites.
Dead links might indicate that the information has not been updated and may not be useful.
Check for grammar and spelling. A page with lots of errors is a good indication that the content has not been reviewed.
If statistics or graphical data are available, make sure that the source of the data is listed.
Any one can put a graph or statistic on the web.
Using sites like the U.S. government’s “Statistical Abstract”
can help you verify information if no reference is provided on the webpage you’re viewing.
Check to see whether the content is free from emotion, too.
Does it read more like an encyclopedia article
or an impassioned plea to revolt against the establishment?
Both types have their own purposes, but if you are looking for accurate information to support your thesis,
you may want to rely more on content that reads like an encyclopedia.
These strategies will help you determine the accuracy of a web page.