It’s Online, but Is It on Target

Part 2

Research with attitude

Conduct your research with the attitude of a skeptic. As you examine websites for clues that there trustworthy, ask these questions: 

-Who wrote the web page? If you can’t identify the individual or organization responsible for the information, don’t use it.

-What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subjects?

-Has the article passed through an editorial process designed to ensure quality and accuracy?

-What is the website’s purpose? Look for motives – like selling products or winning votes – that could result in biased or incomplete information.

-Is the information accurate? Is it up-to-date?

-Where did the author get this information?