by Tricia Psarreas Murray

Created on: May 21, 2009

People often search for information on the Internet, but they do not frequently research the sources they use. The fact that information is posted does not necessarily mean that the information is true. When searching for the truth value of a website, you must consider the sources.

The credibility of a website can be determined when examining four different factors. First, you must think about the author. Second, you should evaluate the objectivity of the website. Third, you should examine the information on the website. Fourth, you should pay attention to how often the website is revised. These four factors will help you differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate websites. In turn, you will feel more confident knowing that your information comes from a reliable source.

Authors

You can easily determine a website's credibility if you have information about the author. Before accepting an author's words as facts, it is best to know why the author is qualified to share a message.

Try to answer the following questions before accepting an author's viewpoint:

* Who is the author's sponsor?

* What are the author's credentials?

* How much experience does the author have?

Objectivity

The objectivity of a website often shows how truthful the site is. Research sources should show both sides of the story. These sources should not try to persuade you without giving you all of the information. Facts should be supported by evidence and contrary information should not be neglected.

When you look at the objectivity of a website, ask yourself the following questions:

* Does the website support its claims with evidence?

* Does the site explain both sides of the issue?

* Is the website's tone professional?

Information

The amount of information a website supplies is often a good indicator of how truthful the information on the site is. If the information is vague or poorly explained, there is a good chance that the site is not appropriate for research.

Try to answer the following questions before you believe what you read on the Internet:

* How much information is provided?

* How much does the information explain?

* What is the basis of the information?

Revision Date

You can often determine the validity of a website by seeing how often the site is updated or revised. If a website is properly cared for, it should be updated frequently. Neglected websites indicate that the information is not worth updating.

When you do research on a website, make sure that the information is up-to-date. If the site has not been updated for a long time, the information may be outdated.

Summary

If you research your sources, you will find the truth more quickly. Research takes a lot of time, so it is best to save time where you can. These four research tactics will help you find the valuable sources you need to complete your research.

Now that you know how to find valid sources, you can be much more confident in the information you find and in the way you choose to present it.

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