Finding Reliable Websites
How do you know what information online is trustworthy? Do what fact checkers do, and use Lateral Reading.
When you come across an unfamiliar online source:
Open a new tab in your browser.
Search the name of the unfamiliar source.
Check what trustworthy sites say about it.
If the source seems untrustworthy, don't waste your time on it. Find a better source.
from Lateral Reading Poster developed by Civic Online Reasoning & Stanford History Education Group
Using Websites
It is important to evaluate all information you encounter, but it is especially important to be critical of the information you find on the web. Does it pass the CRAAP test?
Currency: Is the site up-to-date and edited regularly?
Relevancy: Who is the intended audience for this information and is the information unique?
Authority: Who is the author and what are his or her credentials? Is there contact information? Is it a company, organization, or university?
Accuracy: Where does this information come from? Are there sources listed? Are there typos or spelling or grammar errors?
Purpose: Why was this site created? Is it intending to sell a product? What is the domain name (.edu, .gov, .com, .org)?
- CRAAP TestDownload a PDF of this guide to use in your online research
Government Business-Related Websites
General business resources
- Consumer Expenditure SurveySurvey data provides information on the buying habits of American consumers, including data on their expenditures, income, and consumer unit (families and single consumers) characteristics. Collected for the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- EDGAR Company FIlings from the SECFree access to more than 20 million filings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms mandated by EDGAR.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Website provides news of recent actions involving the FTC and informative topics about business practices such as Competition, Consumer Protection, Economics, Congressional, Policy and International are offered.
Montana resources
- Helena Area Chamber of CommerceAccess to information for local businesses in Helena, MT.
- Montana Business Assistance CommissionA non-profit, investor supported economic development organization,. MBAC is dedicated to encouraging and supporting business expansion, retention and relocation by providing access to business consulting, financing, professional development and economic research.
- Montana Department of CommerceThe Montana Department of Commerce works with statewide and local partners, private industry and small businesses to enhance and sustain economic prosperity in Montana. Lots of great resources for local businesses.
Small business resources
- Business USACentralized, one-stop platform makes it easier for businesses to access services to help them grow. Find links to information about grants, loans, insurance, mentoring, and more.
- SBDCNetComprehensive source of information for small business owners from the Small Business Development Center, including startup costs, research market reports, and business plans.
- U.S. Small Business AdministrationFind information to support all aspects of small business management as well as free online courses, videos, and chat sessions organized by topic or content type.
General Business Websites
General information
- Best of the Best Business WebsitesA list of the most credible and useful business Websites that are FREE to access by the public, from the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).
- Better Business Bureau (U.S. BBB)Access authoritative annual BBB reports on both BBB accredited and non-accredited companies and find information on complaints and scams reported on specific companies.
- Business Writing ResourcesAssists users in developing business writing skill, from GlobalEDGE, part of Michigan State University's Broad College of Business.
- Yahoo! FinanceFind stock price history, key stats' pages, industry & competition pages, profile pages, balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements.
Issues & trends
- Center for Economic Policy and ResearchHigh-quality professional research presented through editorials, reports, multimedia presentations, news stories, data collections, and more on domestic and global economic and social issues affecting growth, development, and poverty.
- IncAffiliated with the business magazine of the same name, find the latest trends in start-ups and entrepreneurship.
- Your EconomyNational (U.S.) level economic trends available in graph form without subscription. Same establishments tracked every year; includes all establishments in all industries (including sole proprietors, farms, nonprofits, establishments with fewer than 3 employees); focus is on establishments verified to be conducting or intending to conduct commercial activities.
Regulations & audits
- Doing Business (World Bank)Great resource for studying business regulations and their enforcement across 185 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional level.
- Public Company Accounting Oversight BoardThe PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress. The organization is responsible for monitoring the audits of public companies in order to protect the interests of investors and the public and to ensure companies prepare informative, accurate and independent audit reports.