Search the Web
Below is a collection of freely available resources that may help you find some information. Keep in mind that this is public information and unlike a database, it isn't being checked for validity. That's YOUR job. Need help with that?
Use the C.A.R.D.S test - see below.
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Take a look at this PowerPoint that helps you know how to evaluate websites.
But
wait...
How do you know if your website is any good??
Do the
C.A.R.D.S Test
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Can you find the author/sponsor of the information? What are their credentials? Education? Experience? Affiliations?
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Can you find an "about us" or "contact us" link? Does it give more than an email address? That is, is there a phone number or postal address to contact for more information?
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Do there appear to be errors on the page (ie. spelling, grammar, facts)? These kinds of errors not only indicate a lack of quality control, but can actually produce inaccuracies in information.
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Do they cite the sources of their information?
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Is the source free from any sense of bias?
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Is the information free of advertising or clearly separated from it?
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Is it easy to find the copyright date?
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Are there dates for when it was written? When it was last revised?
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If there are statistics, graphs and/or charts, is it clearly stated when the data was gathered?
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Is the information based on primary or secondary sources?
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Are there links to other sources that would score high in this CARDS evaluation?
Source: "Evaluating Websites" by Gulf Coast State College Library (2013) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC)
