The Perils of Internet Research: Judging Accuracy

The Internet is a Godsend for writers. You can conceive, research, write and edit your masterpieces from the comfort of your own home and you don't have to wade through the stacks or sift through the card catalog at your local library. Internet research as becoming the norm for writers all over the globe, not only for its convenience, but also for its diversity. The problem with Internet research, however, is judging its accuracy.

If I want, I can purchase a domain, set up web hosting and create an entire website about dogs and cats. None of the information I put on the website has to be true, but if I claim that my information is accurate, how will you know otherwise? And if magazines and newspapers are not immune from error, how can you possible trust the accuracy of an Internet resource?

Not only do you have to worry about the accuracy of Internet research, but you must also avoid trusting the truth in unsolicited e-mails. How many times have you opened your inbox to a slew of e-mails about the latest Internet viruses? Most of these have been disproven by many sources, but the average American believes what he or she reads.

To help you judge the accuracy of your Internet research, ask yourself the following questions:

>Does the website exist primarily to sell stuff?

Always be wary of an Internet resource whose entire existence is based on sales. If the information given leads up to a "Buy It Now" paragraph, you should find another resource. The Internet is overloaded by websites geared specifically toward making a buck, and unless you can verify the information elsewhere, it's best to just move on.

>Is there a bibliography included?

Most of the information in the world is recycled; there are very few new ideas and facts because each has a basis in something else. When conducting Internet research, look for a bibliography page where trustworthy resources are cited by the author. If the information has been gleaned by reputable books and authorities, you can likely trust it.

>When was the website (or page) created?