Research Guides: HIST 276: U.S. Women's History to 1877: Project #3

Website Evaluation Tips

It's easy to find a vast amount of information on the internet when a quick Google Search provides you with millions of results. But how can we tell which information is reliable and useful, and which information may be full of bias or misleading facts?

When evaluating a website as a possible source for our project we want to ensure that the information provided is accurate, credible and relevant to our research needs. One of the best ways to evaluate content from the open web is to apply the R.A.D.A.R. technique. By using R.A.D.A.R. we are able to sort truth from fiction, and identify everything else in between.

R.A.D.A.R. Technique

R.A.D.A.R. stands for Rationale, Authority, Date, Accuracy, and Relevance. It’s a simple framework to help you critically evaluate sources, especially websites, before including them in your research.

As you review a source, ask yourself:

Why was this created?
Who is behind it?
Is the information current and correct?
Does it support your research goals?

Each part of RADAR gives you clues about the source’s reliability and usefulness. Click through each section to learn how to apply RADAR when evaluating a website.

Consider why the source was created. What are the goals of the author or organization behind it?

Was the intent to:

Educate or inform?
Entertain?
Persuade or sell something?

Every source has a purpose, and that purpose shapes the information it presents. No source is completely free from bias. Authors will bring their own perspectives, experiences, and motivations when creating something. Some sources may be overtly commercial or misleading, while others may present a more subtle or balanced viewpoint.

Understanding the rationale helps you recognize potential bias and evaluate whether the source’s intent aligns with your research needs.

In determining a source’s credibility, consider the source’s purpose and the author's authority:

Why was the source created?

To entertain?
To persuade or sell something?
To inform objectively?

Is the creator qualified to be an authoritative voice on the topic? Look for:

Firsthand, lived experience
Educational background
Published or practiced expertise

Understanding both who is speaking and why they’re speaking helps you critically evaluate the reliability of the information.

Think about whether the information is still accurate or relevant today.

When was it published, and has anything changed since then?

It is never so easy as to say "only use sources from the past five years." If this (or something like it) is guidance you've heard, your instructor has offered that guidance within a certain research context, whether you have realized it or not.

Is the age of the information suitable for the goals of the assignment?

Accuracy matters because misinformation can distort your understanding and weaken your argument.

Ask yourself:

Are the facts correct and supported by evidence?
Are there citations or references to trustworthy sources?
Are there signs of errors, exaggeration, or misleading claims?

Reliable sources are careful with their facts and transparent about where their information comes from. When you use accurate sources, you build credibility and strengthen your own work.

Is this source relevant to my specific research question or assignment goals?

A source may be accurate and related to your topic, but that doesn’t always mean it’s useful for your particular purpose. Consider whether the source helps you analyze, support a claim, or build your argument.