How to Find Reputable Websites
Finding a reputable website among the billions of websites in cyberspace can be challenging. In many cases, students are specifically instructed to "use only reputable websites" for research papers and assignments. In other instances, a consumer is enticed by the unbelievably low prices of an Internet company and wonders if the website is reputable. Fortunately, determining the reputation of a website can be accomplished in several ways.
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Instructions
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Check its domain name. Most websites can be registered under a .com, .net, or .org domain name. However, only government entities can use .gov. Similarly, only post-secondary accredited educational institutes can register a .edu domain name. Therefore, websites that end in .gov or .edu are considered reputable. If writing a paper or research paper, try to use sources which are predominantly from these two entities.
Assess the website name to determine trustworthiness as well. Though websites that substitute the letter "s" with "z" might sound trendier, these websites might not be the most reputable. Websites with incoherent names and multiple numbers are likely poor sources, too.
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Research the credentials. Making a website requires little more than $10 and some very basic computer skills. Thus, you are responsible for determining the worth of the content. Check the credentials of the author or the company to assess the validity of information. George Mason University advocates using sources from authors who are published in peer-reviewed publications.
Do not believe all claims made from herbal supplement websites, nor follow the health advice of anyone who does not possess appropriate credentials or experience.
Do not trust a website on which anyone can contribute. Never quote such a site in a research paper; instead, go to its source and use it as your resource.
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Check for bias. Many companies and even scientific studies get sponsorship from another group, which could affect its objectivity. Therefore, check who sponsors the company or author by going to the "about" section of the site. Bonita Colb's book, "Marketing Research for Non-Profit, Community and Creative Organizations" explains this point well when she mentions a Martin Luther King Jr. website sponsored by a white supremacist group: clearly, the information will be biased.
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Assess the company's track record. If purchasing a product from a company, check other websites for customer testimonials regarding their efficiency, delivery, and quality of product.
In addition, watch for anecdotes. Many websites like to claim the success of their product or study due to a few success stories. Check the scientific studies which validate or negate these claims. When assessing these studies, determine how many people were sampled, if the product itself was tested (or if it was merely one property in the product, like vitamin C) and all potential side effects.
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Survey the advertisements. Be cautious of any website that is predominantly advertisements, including those pop-ups that appear upon entering the site. Such sites are usually not interested in providing quality information as much as getting you to click on an ad.
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Tips & Warnings
Check your credit card statements after all online purchases to ensure the correct amount was billed.
Use only well-known payment options, like Paypal, when shopping online.
Never give personal information online, like your social security number, to an unknown source.
