It is very important to critically examine any source you intend to use, but particularly important for those found on the Internet. Use the CAST method of evaluation: (1) Credibility, (2) Accuracy, (3) Scope, and (4) Time.
When examining credibility consider things like:
- Who is the author/publisher?
- What is the author’s education, training and experience?
- If it is an organization, is the organization known and respected?
- What is the organization’s purpose or mission?
When examining accuracy consider things like:
- What is the source of the data and is it trustworthy?
- Are the sources cited? Are the sources trustworthy?
- Can the data be corroborated or confirmed?
- Are there obvious errors in the information?
- Is the information factual in nature or opinion? On what are the opinions based?
- Is the information of consistent quality?
When examining scope consider things like:
- Are there political or ideological biases that need to be taken into account?
- Which aspects of the subject are covered and which are left out?
- Is the level of detail provided appropriate?
- Who is the intended audience?
When examining the time factor, consider things like:
- Is the document page or webpage dated?
- Is the information limited to certain time periods?
- When was it last updated?
- Is it the type of material that needs to be updated frequently?
