Trying to decide what’s credible on the internet? While the internet has many reputable sites, we know that not all information is accurate information. Using up to date reliable information gives your work more credibility. Here are some questions to consider. Although not every question will need to be answered, using the CRAAP test will help you determine if the source looks credible.
Google Scholar is a search engine that provides scholarly literature across many disciplines. Keep in mind that not all articles are full-text or free. Before purchasing an article check the NBCC database collections (these are free). If you would like help searching, email us at library.coordinators@nbcc.ca
Consider the site's URL, this can tell you several things about the website: creator, audience, purpose, and sometimes country of origin.
“edu” (educational), “gov” (government),
“org” (nonprofit), "com” (commercial).
Generally, .edu and .gov websites are credible but beware of sites that use these suffixes in an attempt to mislead. Nonprofit websites may also contain reliable information, but take some time to consider the organization’s purpose to determine if it could be biased. Commercial websites, such as those of reputable news organizations, can also be good sources, but do some investigation to look for signs of reliability.
Wikipedia offers a large volume of information, anyone can create information. In some cases, users deliberately place incorrect information on the site; in others, well-meaning users unintentionally introduce inaccuracies. For these reasons, you can use Wikipedia as a jumping-off point, but not as a source on its own.
Individual blogs, online forums, & chat rooms, much like Wikipedia, can be used to fuel further research, but shouldn’t be used as dependable sources.