Evaluating Websites
How can you decide whether to use a website or not?
Ask yourself the following questions
And then decide if the website is a great resource or not.
Currency
How recent is the information?
How recently has the website been updated?
Is it current enough for your topic?
Relevancy/Reliability
What kind of information is included in the resource?
Does it provide information valuable to your research topic?
Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is it balanced?
Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?
Are there advertisements on the website?
Authority
Who is the creator or author? What are their credentials?
Who is the publisher or sponsor? Are they reputable?
What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?
Purpose/Point of View
Is this fact or opinion?
Is it biased?
Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?
Websites
- Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998.
Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs, and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion, & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and, advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story. - Stop the Hate: National Campus Bias and Hate Crime Prevention
Stop The Hate is an educational initiative of Campus Pride and supports colleges and universities in preventing and combating hate on campus as well as fostering the development of community. The national program serves as the premiere source of anti-hate educational resources for higher education institutions and campus communities. - Human Rights Campaign
Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equal Rights. - National LGBTQ Task Force
The Issues tab has information on 15 issues: transgender, hate crimes, bisexual community, anti-gay and much more. - Matt Shepard is a friend of mine
Includes gallery of pictures, short clip of film,and blog
Study Guides
- Time Magazine Student Study Guide for Laramie Project
Articles and images from some of the interviews.
Organizations
Evaluating Your Websites
- Evaluate with the TRAAP Testfrom Gwinnett Technical College
- Credible Sources Count!Quick evaluation tutorial from Acadia University