There are millions of websites and information out there. Anyone with a computer can create a website or publish a pamphlet. How do you know what to believe? Read below for some information on how to evaluate the credibility of a site. Remember, always read everything with a critical eye.
1. Content accuracy.
Does the site contain accurate, reliable
information or is the site full of science misconceptions? (Is the
"Physics of Pasta" the real deal?)
2. Responsible author.
Is there a way to validate the information at the web site? Is it clear who is responsible for the content? Can you contact the person who has written the information? Is there a way to e-mail a webmaster to ask specific questions to clarify questions about authority? Researching the authority of a web site requires careful examination of the site.
3. Credentials of the author.
Is the content written by a food scientist or another type of professional educator? Is the content biased to one point of view? Some web sites are paid for by food industries, or organizations known to advocate or support different causes and their biases are part of what we must keep in mind when we evaluate them.
