Anyone can put up stuff on the Internet. Some of those stuff can be biased, fake, or out of date. The information in subscription-based databases in Rider Libraries has gone through censorship by peer-reviewers or editorial board. You must evaluate their quality.
Credibility: | Be skeptical. Does the site smell fishy? Is there an author (or corporate author) listed? Does the author have credentials? Who sponsored the page? Does the author cite sources? |
Bias: | Is the point of view objective? Is the author biased? Is the author fair and even-handed in discussing opposing arguments? Does the author or sponsor have a conflict of interest? Could they benefit by giving you less than accurate information? |
Audience: | What level is the target audience? Is the content comprehensive or light? |
Accuracy: | Is the site recommended by trustworthy outsiders? Does this site contradict other sites?If so, who's right? What research methods were used? |
Currency: | When was the source last updated? Is the information outdated? |
Relevance: | Is the site relevant to your topic? |
Special thanks to http://libguides.pima.edu/content.php?pid=270352&sid=2230262