TTC Library "How To"

Understanding Web Domains

The domain of a website provides basic information about the creating entity of the site. This information helps you to determine the site's authority.

For example, if you are looking for a government website you will most likely go to a site with .gov in the web address. (ex. http://www.census.gov/).

Limit by Domain (.org, .gov, .edu, .mil)        use site:

• "Julia Child" site:.gov will retrieve results with Julia Child as a phrase in .gov (government) sites.
• "immigration statistics" site:.gov

Use the CABLE Method to Evaluate Resources

• Currency (When?) When was it published or last updated? Are references to other resources up to date?
• Authority (Who?) Who wrote the information and what are their credentials? Is additional information about the author available?
• Bias  (Why?) What does the author say is the purpose of the resource? Is more than one point of view presented?
• Level  (What?) How useful is this information for your purpose? Does it cover your subject in enough depth? Do you feel comfortable citing this page in a college-level assignment?
• Explore  (Where?) Has the author published other useful information?  Do you have access to the cited resources? Are there similar or more definitive resources on this subject matter?

Adapted from: The Library Instruction Cookbook "CABLE Cook-off: Learning to Evaluate Web Sites" (90-91)