Websites, Research, and Accuracy Or can you always believe what you read on the internet?

What can you learn just from the internet address? URL = Uniform (or universal) resource locater Example:

Domain = gov Other domains: Government: gov mil us Educational site: edu nonprofit organization: org commercial website: com

Publisher is NOAA or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Often they have a ~ or a % or “users” or “members” or “people” or “blog” or “blogger” in the website. Should you use personal websites?

Questions to Consider: Who wrote the website/page? Author’s credentials? Look for links that say “About Us,” or “Biography,” or “Who We Are.” Is there someone responsible (organization, agency, or institution) for monitoring the site.

Does it appear that the source has “an agenda?” Is the page updated regularly? Do the contents agree with other trustworthy sources you have found on the topic?

To Sum Up… Learn about the site from its URL Consider the source Ask questions about who or what is responsible for the site Compare the info to what you already know

Two Additional Topics:  Sample Website  Why we insist on print sources