Checklist for Evaluating Sources -
the 5 Ws

1. Who?
   1. Who is the author?
   2. Are credentials provided?
   3. Is there an About Us section, a mission statement, etc.?
2. When?
   1. When was it published or created?
      • If a newspaper website, does it show what edition of the paper the page belongs to?
      • If an online broadcast, does it show the date and time the information on the page was originally broadcast?
   2. For websites, when was the page last updated? (Remember that individual pages may be updated at different times)
   3. Do the links work?
3. Where?
   1. Where is it published? For websites, type of domain?
   2. Does the publisher take responsibility for the content?
   3. For websites, will the page be there tomorrow?
4. What?
   1. What is the content?
   2. Are editors or reviewers monitoring the accuracy of the information being published?
   3. Are the facts documented? If so, who's the source?
   4. Are quotes accurate?
   5. Are there misspellings or errors? (Remember that these errors show a lack of quality control and can actually produce wrong information)
   6. Is the content available in both print and on the web? If so, is the coverage the same?
   7. For webpages, what is required to view the content? Registration? Money? Personal Information?
5. Why?
   1. Why does it exist?
   2. Is it selling? Promoting? Ranting? Sponsoring?
   3. Is there a bias? stereotypes?
   4. Is content clearly separated from advertising and opinions?
   5. Are links to other viewpoints provided? Balanced?
   6. Are opinions clearly labeled?
   7. What is not said?
6. Would you be better off visiting the library? Would a book or a journal article have better information?

Created 4 July 2000
Last Updated 5 September 2000