HIST 1050: Historical Research on the Web: Websites

Academic Info: World History Gateway
Web sites suitable for undergraduates, organized by topic or region.

Internet Public Library History Collection
Annotated subject directory of selected history Web sites. Browsable and searchable.

Intute: Arts & Humanities: History
Extensive directory of history Web sites hosted by Oxford University. Browse by primary or secondary sources, time period, or intended audience.

World Wide Web Virtual Library History Central Catalogue
Exhaustive list of WWW history links, organized by subject area.

Use the following 5 questions when evaluating the information provided
by a Web page to determine its credibility:

1. Who Created the Web Page?

• Is the author/creator identified?
• What are their qualifications?
• Have you heard of them?
• Do they provide contact information?
• Does the website indicate a source of funding?

2. When Did They Create it?

• Does the page tell you when it was created?
• Is it updated? How often?
• Does it need to be updated?

3. Why Did They Create it?

• What purpose does this Web page serve?
• What does the author get out of creating it?
• What does this tell you about the reliability of the information this site offers?

4. What Perspective does it Represent?

• What point of view does the site emphasize: For example, if the site deals with abortion, is it Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, or neutral?
• Is the site reasonable or strident in tone? Does it support its arguments with facts or with rhetoric?
• What issues doesn't the site address?

5. Is the Information Reliable?

• Does it fit with what you've found elsewhere?
• Is the information supported with references or sources?
• Is the site well edited as far as spelling and grammar?
• Does the site emphasize image (such as flashy graphics) or substance (quality content)?