Evaluating Sources Graphic Organizer
Websites
Category
Question
Analysis
AUTHORSHIP
Who is the author or source? You might have to find this in the “about us,” “credits,” or “biography” page.
Have they provided author contact information and professional affiliations?
Can you confirm that they are an expert? Check the author’s background by doing an online search for confirmation.
Can you confirm the name is the author or does the name belong to the “webmaster”?
If you didn’t find the name of an author, is it a .gov or .org site which often doesn’t list individual authors?
DOMAIN
Is the site a .com, .edu, .gov, or .org?
.com = advertising, shopping, blogs
.edu = educational institution
.gov – government agency
.org – non-profit or any organization
What do you find when you checked to see who owns the site on a site like Who Is?
Does the owner or site indicate any specific bias, like association with making profit by giving this information or connection to a specific political party?
PURPOSE
Is the website educational or a public resource provided by the government or a reputable organization?
Is the website trying to sell something or promote a viewpoint?
Is the website a hoax or satire?
CURRENCY
When was the information originally published? Are there any updates or revision dates?
Has the website been recently maintained?
Is the date missing? If so, be wary of this site.
Are all the website’s links active? If not, be wary of this site.
News Broadcasts
Category
Question
Analysis
IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE
Who is the source of this information?
Is it clear who the original source of the information is?
Was the source involved first-hand?
Where did the source get their information?
Is the reporting transparent, meaning can the audience determine the source of the information quickly and easily?
THE ROOT OF THE INFORMATION
Is the “mouthpiece” reporting the news made to appear to be the original source?
Does the source have training in the area or a job title that would indicate knowledge?
When did the source get this knowledge? Was it recently? Or if they got it a long time ago, might the information or situation have changed?
If the source is involved first-hand, does this make them more or less credible?
Are there any gaps in the source’s understanding?
Can the audience confirm the information through government records, other documents, or further reporting from multiple sources?
What is the source’s past reliability and reputation?
SOURCE MOTIVATION
What is the source’s motivation for providing the information?
What does the source stand to gain or lose?
Will this information make the source look better or worse? Innocent or guilty?
Is the source financially tied to the topic in some way?
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