Is it Reliable?

Key things to look for when searching web sites:

• Who is responsible for the site – are they an authoratative body, a reliable organisation, an academic publisher, a subject expert? Have you heard of them, do you know them?
• Is the site sponsored by anyone – have a good look around the site as it may not be obvious. Is it sponsored by a company or a political organisation? Are they likely to have their own agenda?
• Is the information balanced – are all points of view given? If not, do they have a caveat that it is just their opinion? Is the information fact or opinion and is it obvious?
• Is it accurate – are the spelling and grammar correct?
• Timeliness – is the information up to date and when was it last updated?
• Audience – who is the site aimed at? Is it for the consumer, the general public, a child, a scientist, an organisation? Is it at the right level for you?

The answers to such questions might help you to understand the general appropriateness of the resources you are using, and so to judge their reliability.