History

Below are some helpful criteria and questions to evaluate whether a Website is trustworthy or reliable.

Authority

• Who created the Website? 
• What are the author’s qualifications?  Is he/she qualified to write on this topic?
• Is the author’s name, title & contact information listed on the site?
• Does an institution (university, organization, for-profit company, etc.) supports this information and what is their steak in doing so?

Objectivity/Reliability

• What’s the purpose of this Website? Hint: Examine the Website's URL to help you figure out the purpose.

• Educate/Inform. 
  • Example: .edu (school or university)
• Public service.
  • Ex.: .gov (government)
• Persuade you to join/support an organization’s cause.
  • Ex.: .org (organization)
• Express personal opinions.
  • Ex.: .net (personal site)
• Sell you something.
  • Ex.: .com (sales/entertainment)

• Is the information presented in a balanced, objective/factual way or is it biased?

Accuracy

• Is the information accurate and well researched?  Does the author cite sources so you can verify his/her claims? 

• Is the information free of spelling and grammar mistakes?

Currency

• Is the Website maintained or updated regularly?

• When was the site created?
• When was it last updated?
• Is the information out of date?
• Are there broken links?