However, users must remember that not all web sites contain accurate or reliable information. Several factors must be considered when gathering information from World Wide Web sites. Before evaluating the content of a Web document, there are some essential elements to look for in the layout. Header Body Footer Author Institution Dates Purpose Intended Audience Consider the following criteria when evaluating Web sites.
Authority can be a difficult matter to determine.
The author or contact person for the site is often located at the end of the document. If the type of information you are looking for must be the most current available, another resource, such as a newspaper, may be more valuable. Also, it may be wise to check the statistics you find on the Web against those available in a print resource. This may not seem important at first, but consistency aids in navigating a site. The Web can be an effective means to locating information, but print resources are often just as quick to use and are more reliable for some types of information.