BLUF

When using web sources, you should always check your sources for accuracy, reliability, bias and reputation.

CHECKING WEB SOURCES FOR ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, BIAS AND REPUTATION

Recommendations for assessing the accuracy of a web page or web source:
  • Check the date and relevance of the information.
  • Identify the author and their qualifications.
  • Look for author credentials and relevant expertise.
  • Check the website ownership and look for potential conflicts of interest.
  • Evaluate the website's reputation for media bias and fact-checking.
  • Determine the source type (government, university, commercial, or personal).
  • Look for sources to back up claims and check their credibility.
  • Consider language bias and perspective and verify information with multiple sources.
To find more information about a web page source, you can do the following (note may not work if you are accessing the web from within a restricted network).
  • Right-click on the web page and select "View Page Source" or "Inspect."
  • Use the search function to find specific information in the source code.
  • Look for the author or publisher and dates indicating when the page was created or updated.
  • Check for metadata, advertising, or tracking codes that reveal the financial interests or affiliations of the publisher.
Web links to sites where you can fact-check a source.
It's important to note that no single source is perfect, so it's always a good idea to cross-check information and use multiple sources to get a more comprehensive understanding of a topic.
University and government web pages are generally reliable sources of information, but it depends on the government and whether it is transparent and accountable. 
  • University web pages are focused on research and scholarship.
  • The content is peer-reviewed before publication to ensure accuracy.
  • Official agencies and departments run government web pages.
  • They are subject to strict regulations and oversight.
  • The information provided is based on research and data analysis.
  • University and government web pages have a reputation to uphold.
  • Inaccurate information could damage their credibility and reputation.
  • They take great care to ensure the information is accurate and trustworthy.
Try to avoid using blogs and company web pages.
  • Blogs and company web pages often have a bias and promote their interests or products.
  • They may selectively present information and exaggerate claims to persuade readers.
  • They may lack journalistic standards, fact-checking processes, and be written by untrained individuals.
If you do use a blog or company source, important to check whether the person writing the blog has the qualifications and experience to write knowledgeably about the topic.
  • Verify the qualifications or experience of the author before using a blog or company source.
  • Unqualified authors may provide misleading or incorrect information, leading to errors in your work.
  • Evaluating the author's credentials can help determine their credibility on a topic.
Using Wikipedia
  • Wikipedia is a good starting point for a general understanding of a topic, but it should not be used as a reliable source or cited.
  • The information on Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, leading to varying levels of accuracy and reliability.
  • Verify the information with reputable sources before using it in your work.

References

Note the following guides as to how to evaluate online sources: