As a starting point for evaluating websites, one might use the part of the web address immediately after the "dot" (for example, .com) to try to determine the reliability of the information. This part of the address (or URL) is called a "top-level domain" that someone asks to have when creating their website. The websites you most frequently visit have top-level domains, or TLDs, that likely fall into one of the following categories:
TLD | Category | A site with this TLD can be registered by... |
---|---|---|
.com | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.edu | Sponsored | An accredited US-based college or university approved by EDUCAUSE |
.gov | Sponsored | federal, state, or local governments within the US approved by an independent government agency |
.net | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.org | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.va | Country Code | officials of the Vatican |
.za | Country Code | mainly South African citizens and businesses, but no policy excludes others from registering |
In Google Advanced Search, you can limit your results to the kinds of websites you want. Next to the "Site or Domain" section, you can type ".edu" or ".gov" to only give you education or government sites.
Unlike books and scholarly databases, anyone can create a website or edit a Wikipedia entry. Websites can provide quick and up-to-the-minute information, however, not all of the information is true or trustworthy. Applying a simple test is important to evaluate if the sites you are using qualify as good research. Analyze websites for currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose.
Currency or the timeliness of the web page
When choosing between similar websites, try to pick the more recent one to use.
Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
Relevance or uniqueness of the content and its importance for your needs
Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
Authority or the source of the web page
Never ever use a source if you can't tell who the author is or why you should trust wha they say.
Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
Accuracy or reliability or truthfulness
Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
Purpose or the reason the website exists
The best sources try to inform or explain.
Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.