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When evaluating web sites, remember A COW!!!
ACCURACY- Does this information on this page match other information I found in my research?
- Does the information seem reasonable? Does it seem odd?
- Are spelling and grammar accurate?
CURRENCY- When was this page last updated?
- Do the links work?
OBJECTIVITY- What is the author's purpose? (Is it to entertain? To sell? To persuade? To educate?)
- Is the author trying to sell me something or change my opinion?
WHO?- Who created the web site?
- Is the author an expert on his or her topic?
- Is the author part of a well known university or organization?
- Is there a way to contact the author?
- Is there an "About Us" page on the site?
Look at the URL. Anyone can buy a .net or a .com. Universities will be .edu. Government sites will be .gov. If there is a ~ in the URL, it usually is a personal page, even if it is in a .edu or a .gov site.
- k12 in the URL is a sign that it could be student work. (Their sources might be worthwhile.)
- Avoid thinkquest.org. The sites here are student projects. (Their sources might be useful.)
