Appears courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Appears courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Did you know there are 571 websites created every minute on the Internet? With over 300 million sites added to the world wide web a year, that’s a whole lot of information to sift through, and it’s getting tougher and tougher every year!

Anyone can author a web page and put it up on the Internet. Because of this, it’s important to know how to assess online information and determine if it comes from a credible resource.

The following sources are available for you to use, as you evaluate the quality of your online sources:

Website Evaluation Template

Website Evaluation Note

The Preston Library has also designed a tool to help you find clues that will aid you in your decision. The tool is based on criteria to help you evaluate websites for Authority, Accuracy, Purpose, Content, Currency, Design, Organization, and Ease of Use. It is based on a checklist provided by the University of Maryland.

Upon filling out an online assessment form, you will be emailed automatically with a report. Reading over this report will help you decide whether or not to use the website as a trusted resource.