Steps+to+Validating+Websites

__** Tips for finding information of the internet: **__ __** Click below for a guide to print and use: **__ __** [|Website validate.docx] **__

**Today, research is mainly done using the INTERNET!** **Students need to learn the steps to become GOOD RESEACHERS!** **We have a few steps to follow to help students as they journey onto the internet!**

**YOUR GOAL: Learn more about your topic by locating __at least three__ sources!**

**__STEP ONE: Choose a search engine__**: examples: ASK, BING, GOOGLE, DOGPILE, GOOGLE ADVANCED 1. Remember to use key words only. Separate key words with the word //and//. Put phrases in //quotation marks//. GOOGLE ADVANCED will help you narrow your search by level.

__**STEP TWO: Read the URL.**__ The web address (URL) can give you fast clues about who is giving you this information: .gov= government .edu .k12 = schools .org= organization .com = commercial (businesses/$)

__** STEP THREE: Evaluate the content. **__ Does the website give you detailed information and explanations on the topic you are researching? Is the information organized, well-written, readable, and understandable by you?

__**STEP FOUR: Locate the Author.**__ The author of the website is the person, or group of people that put the information on the webpage. Sometimes the author is clearly displayed on the webpage, but sometimes you need to look for the author. Usually, you can find this information by clicking on "about us", or "contact us". If you cannot tell who is giving you the information, this is not a valid source to use! Go back to step one!
 * 1) Once you locate the author, see what they tell you about themselves. Are they an expert on this topic- Do they tell you about their job, education, or experience that go with this topic?
 * 2) If not, does the author list their references (where they got the information)?
 * 3) When did the author last update the information on this webpage? Does that matter?