Step One:  Check the Content of the Web Page
The Internet has no editors.  Anyone can put anything they like on the Internet.  Just because it is on the Internet does not make it true or useful. There are many jokes and pranks on the Internet. It is essential to evaluate a Web Site before you use it for a project. 

q       The page appears to be accurate?

q       The purpose of the page (inform, persuade, sell, explain) is stated.

q       The information appears to make sense.

q       The information on the page agrees with other information/sources.

q       The information appears to be factual.

q       The content of the page seems to have little bias or clearly states it biases.

q       The associate links meet the same criteria.

Step Two:  Check the Source of the Web Page
A Web Page address is called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).  Each part of the URL has a special meaning and identifies the origins of the web page.  The domain name, .three letters, describes the sponsoring organization of the page.

More Reliable

.gov  -  government
.edu  -  educational (college/university) 
.k12  -  a school
.org  -  non-profit organization

Less Reliable

.com - commercial (business).  It is
          designed to make money
.net - an Internet Service Provider
         anyone can have a website
~Name - a personal Web Page.
            There is no guarantee of
          the accuracy. 
          Be careful using personal
          pages. 

q       The reliability of the web site has been considered.

Step Three:  Check the Background of the Author/ Sponsor
Information is only good when it is authoritative and current, with an actual author, and preferably as little bias as possible (or at least the biases are clearly stated).  

q       The author's name is included.

q       The author’s background and credentials are included. 

q       The author appears to be qualified to write about the topic of the page. 

q       The organization/sponsor is identified on the Page.

q       Information about the organization/sponsor included on the page.  If no author information is given, and the page does not have a reliable sponsor, think twice about using the site for your project.

Step Four:  Is the Site Current? 
Information on the Internet gets outs of date very quickly.  Associated links can also become unavailable and should be checked on a regular basis.
 

q       Information about the date of the page is provided.

q       The page is current.

q       Links to associated sites work.

q       The site is user friendly and easy to navigate through.

Step Five:  Is the Site Useful for My Project?

q       The information is useful for my project.

q       The web page offers information that cannot be found elsewhere.

q       The information is as good or better than other available sources.  Don't forget--you are trying to find the BEST material for your project.