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Smarter Internet Searching

A guide for when you are using resources outside of the library databases

Evaluating Websites

When you are deciding whether or not to use a website, think critically and look for clues about credibility and authority. Also pay attention the information you get from the web address itself and refer to the chart below (Who Should You Trust?). If you are still unsure, review this guide on Evaluating Information.

Evaluating websites chart

The WHY Method of Evaluating Sources

Evaluate with the WHY method: who, how, what

Look Up and Down!

Check website headers and footers for important information about the organization and its trustworthiness

Understanding Misinformation

Get to Know Domain Extensions

Who can you trust? Dot gov and dot edu are best bets for trustworthy domain extensions

For accessibility concerns about the library website, please contact Tina Kiernan.