All sources need to be evaluated before you decide whether to use them in a project for class, but there are some specific things to consider before you cite a website or online document.
There is no automatic review or editorial process for websites, so you're the one who has to decide if it's appropriate for your project. We recommend the "SIFT Method" to help you evaluate information that you find on the web.
S - Stop
Before engaging with a piece of media, stop. Ask yourself what you know about the website or source of information. What is the reputation of the information source? What do you know about the information or claim being presented? Who is the intended audience? Is the material appropriate for academic research, or are you looking at a high school class project?
If you don't know the source's reputation or about the claims being being made, use the other steps in SIFT to get a better idea of what you are looking at. It can be best to not engage with a piece of media until you know what it actually is.
I - Investigate the Source
The next step is to learn more about the source of the information. The source can be a website, organization, journalistic publication, or a person. You will want to investigate how reputable that source is, and finding out can be as easy as searching Wikipedia or Googling them. Above all, you want to look beyond what the source is saying about itself to learn more about it. Ask yourself, who is the author? What individual, group, agency or organization is responsible for the content of the page? Can you find information about the expertise of the author?
F - Find Better Coverage
Even if your source is reputable and well regarded, it may be best to locate other sources talking about the same topic or claim. In some cases, your initial source of information may not be the originator of that information and is simply reporting someone else's claim. Ask yourself if the facts agree with other sources you have checked. Are the sources of information clearly documented? Is only one side of an argument represented? What sites does the page link to? Is the author’s mission or agenda clearly stated?
It may be possible to locate other sources that are more trusted or more in-depth that corroborate or dispute the information. You can begin to form an idea of what the expert consensus is on a topic or claim, or find sources that are better suited to your needs.
T - Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to their Original Context
If your source of information is not the original reporter of that information, it's wise to trace that information back to its source. Claims, quotes and media on the internet are often missing context. Tracing information and claims back to their source helps establish their original context and determine if your source is fairly and accurately representing that information. Ask yourself if you can you determine how current the information is. Is the site updated regularly? Do the links work?
Remember that it may also be necessary to investigate and verify the sources you find when tracing claims.