EMS Research: Websites

Authority / Credibility
Determining the author for a source is important in deciding whether information is credible. The author should show some evidence of being knowledgeable, reliable and truthful.

• Who is the author (person, company, or organization)?
• Does the source provide any information that leads you to believe the author is an expert on the topic?
• Can you describe the author's background (experience, education, knowledge)?
• Does the author provide citations? Do you think they are reputable?

Accuracy
The source should contain accurate and up-to-date information that can be verified by other sources.

• Can facts or statistics be verified through another source?
• Based on your knowledge, does the information seem accurate? Does it match the information found in other sources?
• Are there spelling or grammatical errors?

Scope / Relevance
It is important that the source meets the information needs and requirements of your research assignment.

• Does the source cover your topic comprehensively or does it cover only one aspect?
• To what extent does the source answer your research question?
• Is the source considered popular or scholarly?
• Is the terminology and language used easy to understand?

• When was the source written and published?
• Has the information been updated recently?
• Is currency pertinent to your research?

• What is the purpose or motive for the source (educational, commercial, entertainment, promotional, etc.)?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the author pretending to be objective, but really trying to persuade, promote or sell something?

Style / Functionality
Style and functionality may be of lesser concern. However, if the source is not well-organized, its value is diminished.

• Is the source well-written and organized?
• To what extent is it professional looking?
• If it is a website, can you navigate around easily?
• If it is a website, are links broken?