Principles of Management

Websites, like all potential sources, must be evaluated to determine reliability.  While not scholarly sources, information found on the internet can still be used as a source for your research if it meets certain standards. Consider these 4 aspects about an online source to determine if it is reliable:

1. Author
2. Motivation or Bias
3. Evidence
4. Timeliness

1. Author

• Is the author listed?
• Is the author an individual or a group?
• What makes the author an expert?

2. Motivation or Bias

• Is this opinion or fact?
• Is the source supported by an organization or company? What do they stand to gain from this?
• Websites ending in ".edu" or ".gov" will more likely present a neutral point of view (but not always).
• Are your own biases making you critical about the source before examining the evidence?

3. Evidence

• Does the source provide any evidence such as citations or links? Do the links work?
• Was the information reviewed by experts?
• Can you confirm the information in another source?

4. Timeliness

• When was the information published or last updated?
• Is the information up to date?

As said above, websites with the domain name .gov or .edu are mostly likely to be neutral. .Gov domains are also most likely to be freely accessible. Based on this, we recommend using a .gov whenever possible when doing online research.  This does not mean that other domain names can not be used, or that they can not be trusted. You simply must take the previously mentioned aspects into consideration and use your best judgement.  Remember that you also have access to several reputable business magazines such as Bloomberg Businessweek and Harvard Business Review through the SOWELA databases as well. 

Here are some websites that may be of use to you:

Search for stories on these fact-checking websites to determine their bias and if what you see on the internet is actually true.