Archaeology: Websites

Before believing the information given on a web site, or quoting it in your essay or project, think about the following:

Authority

• Who is responsible for the page/site?
• Is it a reliable organisation (eg a well known university) or a subject expert?
• Can you trust them?

Accuracy and reliability

• Is the information correct?
• Is the grammar and spelling correct?
• Is it complete, or are they just giving one point of view?
• Do they have their own agenda eg political organisations?
• Is the information fact or opinion?

Currency

• Can you tell how up-to-date it is?
• Is it regularly updated?
• You don't want to quote out-of-date information

Audience / relevance

• Is the information of the right level to be quoted in your project? If it is aimed at the general public or school children it might not be!

Feel!

• Is the site well structured and easy to navigate?
• Are the links from the page up-to-date and valid?
• If it is well designed and maintained then you can feel more confident about the information it provides