• 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• Is the information current or out of date for your topic?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 or broken?

• When was the page created?

A recent update does not mean the information is current.

To determine if the information is up to date, compare the information to other sources, such as scholarly articles found in a library database. This is very important for science, health, business, and technology disciplines where new information is frequently produced. 

Broken links are one indication that a website has not been recently updated.

A copyright date is not an indication of when information was published or updated!

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

• Who is the intended audience?

• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

• Is the site intended to be general, comprehensive, or selective?

To identify the target audience, look at:

• Reading level (is it easy or challenging? Does it assume previous knowledge with the topic?)

• Design of the page (are there banner ads, flashy graphics, or plain text?)

• Possible target demographics (is the information aimed at academic researchers, kids, consumers, political activists, or another type of person)?

•  Who is the author, publisher, source, or sponsor?

•  Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given? If yes, what are they?

•  What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?

•  Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?

•  Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

Google the name(s) of the person or people who created the source.

Try to find their credentials, education, work experience, or life experience. Does this mean that they have expertise on the topic of the source?

If you cannot find the name of the person or people who created the source, go to the "About" page to learn about the website or organization.

•  Where does the information come from?

•  Is the information supported by evidence?

•  Has the information been reviewed?

•  Can you verify the information in another source or from personal knowledge?

•  Does the language or tone seem biased or emotional?

•  Are there obvious errors (spelling, grammar, etc.)?

Many websites, particularly non-profit organizations or advocacy groups, will have a particular agenda or purpose that results in formation with a bias.

Bias does not mean that the source is not reliable, but it is very important to take into account when interpreting or using the given information.

Consider if the author is fair, balanced, or moderate in their presentation or viewpoint. Are they overly emotional or extreme? Is there a conflict of interest due to the author's affiliation or perspective? 

•  What is the purpose of the information? Does it inform, persuade, sell, or entertain?

•  Are the intentions of the authors/sponsor clear?

•  Does the point of view appear objective?

•  Are there political, cultural, institutional, or personal biases?

Websites may have several purposes, such as to persuade and entertain at the same time. It is important to analyze if one purpose conflicts with the information found on the website.

Are there any unstated purposes? For example, does the aim of the organization or the use of advertising on the page indicate that the purpose is hidden? 

•  Are there other types of knowledge (for example, oral traditions) that could enhance the information? Which ones?

•  Are there barriers to accessing the information? For example, cost, technology, account registration?

Consider whose voices have traditionally been the only ones in a research conversation on a particular topic. Which other voices ought to be included?

Sources found through the library catalogue are accessible for the Bow Valley College community. These same sources may be behind a paywall if found through Google.