We encourage you to consider this checklist to help you evaluate any website you encounter and identify potential problems it might have:

• Is the information complete?
• It the information objective and trustworthy?
• Is the provider of the information qualified?
• Is the information up-to-date and legally provided?
• Is the information presented in an accessible and easily understood way?
• Can you navigate through the website easily and quickly?
• Does the website provide a means to search its contents?
• What other websites is this website affiliated with, recommending, or linking to?
• Are there better and more current sources elsewhere?
• Is there any evidence of prejudice or unfairness?
• Are opinions presented instead of facts?
• Is the information propaganda?
• Is the website overly commercial or essentially an advertisement?
• What purpose does this website serve?
• Are there possible motives in providing this information?
• Is the information telling just one side of the story or the whole truth?
• Can you confirm any "facts" at another website or in a book?
• Does the website require you to provide personal information prior to access?
• Does the website have a privacy policy posted?
• If something went wrong, or if you had a question, is contact information provided?
• Does the website require you to use cookies?
• Does the website require you to install additional software on your computer?
• If doing research, have you checked at the library to see if a book or special database exists for your research topic?

If you ever have questions about doing research on the Internet, or finding better sources not freely found on the web, please speak with one of our librarians or ask us a question over the Internet by asking us a question online.