Reliable Sources

So now you have some good research questions and you think you know where you are going to find answers. How can you be sure the sites you are looking at are the most reliable and accurate for your research? 

Some tips on what to look for:

*Avoid websites like ask.com, about.com, wikis and blogs. Some of these sites are open for anyone to post whatever they like. This means you could find false, inaccurate or unreliable information. Wikis and blogs are personal opinion spaces and do not necessarily reflect facts.

*Use a variety of sources.  The more sources you use, the more you information you have to compare and check.  If three websites have the same fact and a fourth has a fact that is different, you may question the reliability of the fourth source.

*Check who has posted the information.  If you are using an encyclopedia, newspaper article or government website, you will probably find safe, reliable information. Check to see if the site has an author.  Is it an expert on your topic? What about contact information or an update date?  These are all clues that let you know if a site is reliable.

*Check the date the webpage was published or updated.  If you are exploring a topic that is currently in the news you will want information that is up to date.  Pages that have been posted years ago will most likely be inappropriate for your research.

*Look at the purpose of the page.  Is it to advertise a product, promote a personal agenda or is it someone's class project?  These are sites you want to avoid.