Religion Research Guide

 

Like all web sites, web sites on religions need to be evaluated for credibility and reliability. For those sites that are not affiliated with a religious group or organization, the best way to evaluate the site is by considering the credentials of the site's creator(s) (e.g., does he or she have an advanced degree in the subject matter covered by the site?) and/or the reputation of the site's sponsoring organization (e.g., is the site affiliated with a recognized and respected educational institution?).

 

Sites that are affiliated with religious groups and organizations must be evaluated differently. Such sites are often useful as primary sources of information, in the sense that they provide first-hand, factual information about the beliefs of a particular religious group or organization. However, while a site of this type is likely to be factual with respect to the beliefs of a particular group, it may not be factual in any other sense (e.g., historical or scientific accuracy). For this reason, the claims found on religiously affiliated sites must be approached with suspicion and interpreted critically.