Websites
Jump to: Why to use them | How to cite them
Why to use websites as a source
If you can't find the information you need packaged neatly into a book or article, websites are a good option. Sometimes they are actually a better place to get up-to-date news or statistical data (see below examples). It's extra important to use your evaluation skills when visiting websites. Who publishes them? Are they trustworthy? How do you know?
Websites can be sources for:
- Statistical or other data
- Reports compiled by government agencies or other organizations
- Images, advertisements, charts and visualizations
- Opinion writing
- Obscure or hyper-contemporary topics not covered in scholarly or popular literature
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Websites can be a great source for data. This image shows the U.S. Center for Disease Control's data tracker page for COVID-19. It's still important to carefully evaluate these sources. For example, you might want to also read articles like this that critically examine the CDC's data collection practices. |
Information-packed reports, such as this one assembled by Human Rights Watch, can often be found on websites. Make sure you look carefully at the organization's "About" page and even Google the group to get a sense of its mission. |
How to cite websites
- Chicago style: Author-Date | Notes & Bibliography
- MLA style (scroll down to the right category)
- APA style
See Also: Guide to Citation Management Tools