Most sources you will find through Hekman Library, whether through WebCat or the research databases, have been published for an academic audience, so usually are considered appropriate for a college-level research project. Doing research on the free Web can be trickier; very good information can be found there, but there is also a lot of material that is not scholarly or may even be outright hoaxes.
You will want to scrutinize what you find on the free Web especially closely, but every source should be evaluated carefully to make sure it's the best source for your project.
Consider these criteria and tips:
Relevance
Is the source on topic, and does it provide what you need for your project?
Currency
How recently was the information published or updated?
-Look
for a “Last Updated” note at the bottom of the page (website) or check
the copyright page for the date of publication (book)
-Remember
that while recent information is often considered more useful,
sometimes older sources can be more comprehensive or authoritative.
Accuracy, Quality, Coverage
Is
the information or source of a high quality? Is it appropriate for an
academic research project? Does it provide enough information?
What are the credentials or reputation of the author, publisher, and/or sponsoring organization?
-Look for an “About” (website), a byline (article), or entry on a “List of contributors” (book or journal)
-Ask a librarian or professor familiar with the subject
-Check WebCat, research databases, or the free Web to see what else the author or organization has published
-Who else cites or refers to this source or author?
Objectivity
Is there a bias or slant to how the information is presented?
-Think about the author's purpose: is the information presented to inform, educate, or persuade?
-Check the “About Us” or “Mission” links (website)
-Check with a professor, librarian, or even search the free Web to see what others say about potential bias. (For example, the Web page Straight from the Source offers analyses of web pages on "hot topics.")
- Consider whether the bias or viewpoint affects the usefulness of the information for your project. (In some cases, a biased source may be ok, if you acknowledge or present that bias in your writing.)
Evaluating Sources 
