Can the Internet be used for research? Absolutely, if you look at each website you plan to use with a critical eye.
Consider the criteria:
Author of the Site - Whose idea was it?
- If one person, what are that person's credentials?
- If an organization, check the Encyclopedia of Associations in your library.
- Is an address or email address given?
Place of Origin - What country or state does it come from?
- The United States
- Other Countries (Check the country code in the URL: .de for Germany, .au for Australia, .sg for Singapore, etc.)
URL - Whose type of site is it?
- .com - a commercial site
- .org - a group or organization
- .edu - an academic institution
- .gov - a government site
- .mil - a military site
- .net - a network
Purpose - How objective will it be?
- To inform you
- To convince you of a point
- To sell you a product or service
- To amuse or entertain you
Content - Is it what you need to know and enough of what you need?
- Source of the information (books, articles, research, observation, opinion)
- Comparison with other sources: Accurate? Current?
Currency - Is it being updated to reflect current news and trends?
- Date of creation
- Last update
- Up to date links
Ease of Navigation - Correct spelling and grammar?
- Use of graphics
- Placement of ads
- Design
Intended Audience
- What age or reading level is it aimed at?
Organization
- Is the overall look pleasing and logical?
The Book Report, September / October 2001, page 48.