Is this Website Trustworthy?: Lesson

Did you know there is an easy way to search by type of website (or domain)?  

Use Google Advanced Search to do just that.  

Finding .EDU and .GOV sites will take no time at all!

Step 1:  Type your search into a regular Google search box.

Step 2:  Look at the top, right hand side of the page below the search box.  Click on Settings.

Step 3:  Scroll down and select Advanced Search

Step 4:  Halfway down the page there is an open box called Site or Domain.  Type in the domain you want to limit to.  Ex:  .gov, .edu, .org

To help determine of you are looking at a credible website use this checklist to ask questions about the website. If you can't find the answers to most of these questions, then it may be best to look for another website. 

Ask yourself:

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
• Are the links functional?

Ask yourself:

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the best one to use?

Ask yourself:

• Who is the author, source or publisher?
• Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
• Is there contact information, address, or email?

Ask yourself:

• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or by your own knowledge?
• Are there spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors?

Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of the information?
• To inform? To teach? To sell? To persuade?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
• Does the website address reveal anything about the website?

Watch this short video to learn how to apply the evaluation criteria.