Use the CARS Method for evaluating information.
Consider the following factors
What are Scholarly Sources? Scholarly Information
A journal that has been refereed has been reviewed by an editorial board of experts in a field before being accepted for publication. It contains a list of references or bibliography of other notable sources.
Here is a "in a nutshell view" of scholarly vs. popular information.
Many sites on the Web are authored and created by non-experts and are not evaluated though any kind of filtering process. You must learn an appropriate evaluation process to judge the quality and accuracy of information you find. The following is an effective method.
AUTHORITY AND ACCURACY
It is important to find out the author's identity, qualifications and expertise to determine the credibility, reliability, and accuracy of information.
PURPOSE AND CONTENT
What is the purpose of the website? Carefully analyze the content. Is the information factual and unbiased or is it subjective, have an agenda, and biased?
What is the purpose?
-Is it a personal webpage? An organization? A company? A scholarly information site? A forum for educational or public service information? An advertisement? For entertainment?
-Does the website provide factual, balanced, and objective information?
-Does the website seem to offer only subjective, biased, and opinionated information?
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VERIFICATION
Is there a way to contact the author or webmaster?
CURRENCY
Is this the kind of website where updating of information is critical to provide the most current information? Some historical information websites do not require constant updates.
When was the site last updated, revised, or modified?
DESIGN, ORGANIZATION & EASE OF USE
These are important considerations. If a site lacks any of these factors it loses value and credibliity.
