The Internet is full of sources of information, but not all are created equal. Some are reliable, but some are trying to persuade you, some are trying to sell you things and some are just jokes.

You can find out if the site is useful by considering the following questions:

1. What is the Web site’s purpose?

• Is it to inform, entertain or persuade, sell something, satirize or make a joke?
• How do you know?
• Who is the intended audience (who is the Web site for)?

2. Who is behind the screen?

• Has someone taken responsibility for what is written there? Is an author's name listed?
• Is information about the author or organization clearly stated?
• Can you contact the author or the organization?
• Are there links to detailed information about the author or organization?
• Who links to the site? (Go to AltaVista and search “link:” and the site’s URL, as in “link:www.media-awareness.ca”. Do not put a space between “link:” and the URL.)
• Is the tone of the information on the Web site friendly?

3. Is the information biased in any way?

• Is there a connection between the author’s viewpoint and the organization he or she represents? (You can do a Web search on the author or the organization to help you figure that out.)
• Is emotion a big part of what the site uses to try to persuade you?
• Does the author use “loaded language” (words that get a strong emotional reaction) or make broad statements that are not supported by evidence?
• Can the information be verified from other sources?
• Does the site offer more than one point of view or links to other points of view?
• Is the information provided on the Web site non-judgmental?
• Is there a disclaimer which says that the health information provided on the Web site is not a substitute for advice or treatment provided by a health professional?

4. Is the information up to date?

• Is it important that information about your topic be up to date?
• Does the site show when the information was created and last updated?
• Do all the links still work?

Use the following worksheet to evaluate three Web sites on sexual health information.

 

Reliable Sources Worksheet

Web site:  ________________________________  

URL:  ____________________________________

1. Is the site's purpose to inform, entertain or persuade, sell something, satirize or make a joke? How do you know?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. Is an author and/or organization’s name listed? What is it?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. Is information about the author and/or organization clearly stated? What is it?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. Can you contact the author or the organization? What contact information is given?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

5. Are there links to detailed information about the author or organization?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

6. Who links to the site?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

7. Is there a connection between the author’s viewpoint and the organization he or she represents? (You can do a Web search on the author or the organization to help you figure that out.)

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

8. Does the author use “loaded language” (words that get a strong emotional reaction) or make broad statements that are not supported by evidence? If so, give examples.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

9. Does the site offer more than one point of view or link to other points of view? If so, give an example.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

10. Is the information up to date? How do you know?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

11. Do all the links still work? List any broken links.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________