Anyone can publish a website. You can find a lot of good information on the web, and you can find a lot of junk. How do you know if the website you found is credible or not? Follow the ACT criteria when evaluating websites:
1. AUTHORITY: Who created the website? Is he/she an expert on the subject? Look for the "About Us," "Mission Statement," or "Contact Us" links for clues on who created the website.
2. CONTENT: Why was the website created? (Examples: educational information, company or government information, entertainment, personal, or commercial purposes). Is the information factual or a hoax? Can you verify the information with another reputable source like an encyclopedia, journal, book, or another website? Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched or is it questionable and unsupported by evidence?
3. TIMELINESS: Is the website current or outdated? Look for a date when the website was last revised (usually found at the bottom of the homepage).