Research Guides: History Research Guide: Internet Resources

Website Evaluation Tips

Check out these tips when deciding to use an online source. Always be skeptical.

Authority: Who is responsible for creating the web page? Is there a publisher or sponsor of the web page? Can you find information about the author and publisher?
Audience: Who is this web site created for? Is the content geared towards an age group or population group?
Accuracy: How does the information compare to other sources?
Content: What is the content of the web site: images, articles, a blog? The type of domain (.edu, .gov, .org) may provide some clues about the information. Can you detect a bias? Are there cited references?
Currency: How recent is the web site? Is there information on when it was last updated?

Digital Commons Network
The Digital Commons Network brings together free, full-text scholarly articles from hundreds of universities and colleges worldwide.
Library of Congress American Memory Project
American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience.
Rutgers Oral History Archive
The ROHA site presents oral history interviews, transcripts, and other resources. With some 700 oral history interviews posted, emphasizing military history, social/cultural history, and the history of Rutgers, this website offers significant expertise.
BBC Historic Figures
Take a look at the alphabetical listing for famous historical figures.
Densho
Densho's mission is to preserve the testimonies of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II before their memories are extinguished. We offer these irreplaceable firsthand accounts, coupled with historical images and teacher resources, to explore principles of democracy and promote equal justice for all.
The Holocaust Encyclopedia
This multimedia encyclopedia of the Holocaust includes more than 300 articles on the history of the destruction of the Jews of Europe. Sponsored by United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.