Please be aware that not all Web sites are created equal and that anyone with a computer can put up a Web page. For doing academic work, you must be sure that the Web site from which you are getting information is reliable. Use the following information* as a tool for evaluating your sites. Most sites won't have all of the following qualities, but the ones you actually use should contain answers to at least some of the following questions:
Who wrote the information?
-does the article indicate who wrote it?
-are the credentials of the author indicated?
Is there an "about us" or "mission statement" located on the main page?
-is it easy to find?
-does it match the content of the Web site?
-is the sponsor of the site interested in making money or an organization wanting to win you over to a point of view?
Is the site current?
-does the site state when it was copyrighted or written?
-does it say when it was last updated?
-does each article have a date when it was written?
Who funds the site?
-is it easy to find that information?
-do the sponsor and content match?
-is there contact information available?
What type of site is it?
-look at the domains, i.e. .gov, .edu, .com, .org.
-make .edu and .gov your first choice when possible
*thanks for contributions made to this checklist by Kathleen Packard (Springfield Technical Community College)
Source: M. Louis Salmon Library
A division of A&E Network, Biograhy.com is specifically for biographical information on various individuals..
Covers more than 28,000 notable men and women who have shaped our world from ancient times to the present day.
Provides biographical information on the more than 13,000 persons who have served in the U.S. Congress.
Site dedicated to providing information on African American history in the United States and on the history of the more than one billion people of African ancestry around the world. Has over 1,500 encyclopedia entries, full-text transcripts of speeches, links to digital archives dating back to the 18th century.
Digital History is committed to providing high-quality historical resources for teachers and students for free and without advertising.
Biographies of women who contributed to our culture in different ways -- writers, educators, scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights leaders, artists, and entertainers.
This site is maintained by internet encyclopedist Eric Weisstein with assistance from the internet community. Biographies can be browsed by branch of science, gender/minority status, historical periods, nationality and prize winners.
30,000 biographical profiles and special features about newsworthy people around the world; searchable by name or subject category
The Nobel Foundation site includes the Nobel Prize winners from 1901 to date.
Source: McQuade Library