St. Johns Public Schools

There are several things you should look for when deciding whether a website is reliable:

• Author--Who is the author? Is there contact information/biography about the author which would make you think they are an expert on this topic? Although you may not know the author, there are clues that can help you decide whether this person is an expert or now. Look for resources that the author has used in making the website. This shows that they used other sources to create their page, and not just what they knew from memory. You can also check to see if the author works for an organization that focuses on the topic you are resarching.

• Date--When was this site created/last updated? Would it still be considered current today? Check to see if the website was recently updated or created. If it does not have a date, you cannot be sure that the information is current. Some topics, such as historical events, do not need to be updated as often because the facts remain the same. Ask yourself whether your topic is one that might have changed in the last few years.

• Software--Does the site ask you download some type of software in order to use it? Does it ask you for personal information to register? If the site asks you for personal information, it is not a good resource. You should never have to put in your name, address or any other facts about yourself to access a site. If the site asks you to download a piece of software, be sure to either ignore it or ask an adult for advice. Never accept a download unless you are sure you know what you are getting yourself in to!

• Purpose--What does the author say is the purpose of the site? Try and figure out why the website was created. If you can decide the purpose of the site, see if it matches what your purpose is in researching the topic.

• Website URL--Does the website come from an organization (.org), network (.net) or educational institution (.edu)? Websites that end with a commercial ending (.com) often contain the most inaccurate information. They are often created for the purpose of selling or advertising a product. Websites for organizations (.org), networks (.net), and educational institutions (.edu) usually create websites for information purposes, not to sell something, which means they are often more reliable and trustworthy.

Quality Examples of Reliable Web Sites:

• City of St. Johns
  
• Information on Tigers
• Tundra