Matinee: A quick look at evaluating websites
Know your domains
.ORG
"Dot orgs and dot edus are good, right?" It's a common assumption, but .org websites do not automatically signifiy a credible source. Anyone can purchase a .org domain.
.GOV
Government websites contain statistics, reports, research, and much more. The CDC contains a wealth of public health information. But be careful you are not taking information from a politician's web page.
.EDU
Universities and schools have .edu domains. Universities often host open access journals and produce their own research. Just be careful you are not finding another student's completed paper.
.COM
Commercial site. Caution!
Rate these sites
Think you can spot a fake? Even if it's "real," is it appropriate for your paper? Try out a couple of these sites.
Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
News sites will have news articles, editorials, and ads just like their print companions. But they also crowdsource content for local, breaking news. News companies are also prone to bias and incomplete information, so be alert!
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