(What does reliable mean??)
A reliable source is verifiable.
Can you identify the author/creator? Is their identity/expertise easy to verify via another source?
A reliable source is accurate.
When was the information created or last updated? Are there obvious factual errors? Are there sources listed? Can you verify the information on another reputable site?
Three Questions To Ask About Any New Website
1. Who's Behind the Information?
2. What's the Evidence?
3. What Do Other Sources Say?
Try Sideways Research! (Also known as Lateral Reading)
Look at this example of sideways research for more info!
What about the URL?
You can check the URL (the address of the website), but remember that the website extension (.org, .edu, .com, .gov, etc.) is NOT a guarantee of credibility. URLs can sometimes give us a hint about a website . . .
What type of domain does it come from? What would be best for my project/question? Some common domains:
Government sites: look for .gov, .mil
Educational sites: look for .edu
Nonprofit organizations: look for .org (though many .org sites may have misinformation or bias)
Commercial sites: there are many excellent .com sites, but you must be extra careful to check a .com website – anyone can register for one.
PolitiFact is an American nonprofit project operated by the Poynter Institute. Newspaper reporters and editors report on the accuracy of statements made by elected officials, candidates, their staffs, lobbyists, interest groups and others involved in U.S. politics.
FactCheck is a nonprofit website that describes itself as a "consumer advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics". It is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.
Snopes fact checking site