Are Online Sources Trustworthy?

There is not an easy, generalized answer to this question. There are some online sources that are reliable and some that definitely are not. The following categories break down most online sources you will find:

Reliable Sources

Books and journal articles found through an online database (see the library homepage for databases to which Covenant subscribes) are appropriate sources to use. The newer the book or article, the more culturally relevant the scholarship, but that is not to say that older sources should not be used. Many of the books you find in one of these databases are also available in hard-copy in our library or through interlibrary loan. You can also use tools such as Google Scholar to find books and articles that are reliable, just be aware that you may have to pay a fee to access the text if it is not something that in the public domain, or if a copy is not available through Covenant.

The Gray Area

What if a source does not come from an online database? Are web pages reliable? This can be an incredibly difficult question to answer, because it depends on a variety of factors. Just like with print sources, some research must be done on the background of the author and topic. Here are some helpful questions to ask:

1. What is the top-level domain of the web page? The top-level domain of the website (e.g., .com, .org, .net, etc.) used to be a good indicator of both the reliability of the site and what kind of site it was. However, in today’s world, anyone can register a website under just about any top-level domain, and so it has become largely meaningless.

   Official governmental websites (ending in .gov) are the only exception to this rule, and generally provide accurate information. For example, these can be great sources for statistical information on the American population. However, still be on the lookout for political bias and spin on these websites.

   The top-level domain .edu, strictly used for accredited education institutions, can usually be trusted, though these websites should still be used with caution. Often, universities will host personal student pages (e.g., a student blog) and student organization sites on their domain, and so you do not want to rely on the domain name alone to determine the trustworthiness of these sites.

2. Who published the page? Just as with print sources, the author is a key part of determining the reliability of the source. Is the author or publisher of the website affiliated with any specific organizations? Is the author an expert in his or her field? (Can you see his or her educational and experiential background on the website?) Also check to see if there is a way of contacting the author or publishers. Usually, websites published by organizations will provide an email and mailing address as a means of contacting them. If you can answer these questions with “yes,” that is a good sign.
3. How recently was the page updated? Depending on the topic, updated information can be of the utmost importance. If you are looking at statistics on mental illness, for example, you want to make sure the data is up-to-date and not from 5 years ago. On the other hand, if you are looking at website that is providing historical information, the date may not be as important, though you want to make sure that the author is actively updating his or her website.
4. How valid is the information the page presents? Anyone can create a web page about any topic, so it is important to check the accuracy of the information. Are simple facts accurately represented? Does the author’s point of view make sense? Also check for the author’s bias.

There are some online sources (e.g., seemingly reputable websites) that are hard to pinpoint. If you are unsure whether an online source falls in to the reliable or unreliable category, it would be a good idea to check it out with your professor, TA, a librarian, or make an appointment at The Scribe. All of these people can help you evaluate the reliability of your sources.

Unreliable Sources

Websites such a Wikipedia should never be used as a source in an academic paper. These websites can be edited by just about anyone, and therefore the information they provide (while useful and usually mostly accurate) is questionable.

There is a redeeming aspect to unreliable online sources. Check the citations they use. Often, websites such as Wikipedia will cite their sources at the bottom (usually other websites), and these may be more reliable sources. For example, if a book or journal article is cited, it would be more than acceptable to use that as a source in an academic paper. This is provided that the information you are citing comes from that book or journal article, and not from the website page.