Ask WWU Libraries

If you are planning to use a website from a Google search, you will want to make certain that the information is credible. Taking a few moment to investigate the author and publisher of that information is the first step. Ask yourself what type of credibility or authority the person who posted the information has. This can help you decide if the source is appropriate. 

Along with investigating the authority, you can also consider purpose, accuracy, relevance, and currency. 

• Purpose - The reason the information exists
• Authority - The source of the information
• Accuracy - The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content
• Relevance - The importance of the information for your needs
• Currency - The timeliness of the information

It is always a good idea to check these outside of the website you are on. For instance - what do other people say about the purpose of your website or sponsoring organization? What do other organizations say about the accuracy of the information? Can you check that accuracy against another source? 

Some sources may be credible, but not academic. Spending a few minutes looking into some of the above contextual questions may help you identify which your source is.