English 1: The Fictional Frame: Evaluating Websites

You might begin your research by reading Wikipedia entries about your topic, and maybe a few other sites you find through Google. This is OK when you're just starting to learn about a topic, but it's important to think critically about what you read.

Here are some questions to ask about information you find on the open web:

Who wrote it?

• Who is the author, and what qualifies her to write on this topic? Can you even find this information?

When was it written?

• Can you find a posting or publication date?

Who published it?

• Is it a news article? Is it from a reputable news source?
• Is it from an official government website? (in the U.S. the web address will end in .gov)
• Is it from someone's blog or otherwise self-published? 
   

Does it seem believable?

• Are factual claims supported by outside evidence? Are citations and/or links provided?

Why does it exist?

• Consider whether the author or publisher has an agenda. It might simply be to propose a new idea and further the scholarly conversation surrounding a topic, or it may be to sell something, or it may be to promote an opinion that is not necessarily grounded in research.
• Look out for strong, biased language and claims that are not supported by outside evidence.

Please feel free to get in touch with a librarian at absolutely any stage of your research process! 

We encourage you to schedule a research consultation with Ashley Peterson (apeterson@smfa.edu, 617-369-3653)

For quicker questions, please feel free to stop by the Library's front desk (located on the third floor of the B side of the Fenway building). You can also email or call the front desk at library@smfa.edu/617-369-3650.