One or more of these two websites is fake, apply the TRAAP acronym to both websites and see if you can figure out if any are suspicious.
If you are performing your searches in Google or Google Scholar it is imperative that you evaluate your sources/articles, even if they look they come from Scholarly/Peer-Reviewed Journals. Every time you find an article through Google or Google Scholar, make sure to do independent research into the Journal to determine authority, quality, and scholarliness.
1. Google the Journal Title - what type of information is in your results
2. Check the Journal's website - does anything look out of place? Do they charge high author fees? Do they say they use a peer-review process?
3. Check for an Impact Factor - ratings given to scholarly journals, the higher the number the better the journal. Not sure what the impact factor is? Try these websites: Scimago, Eigenfactor, Open Access Journal Impact Factors
Learn More:
A coalition of scholarly publishers and associations collaborated to create this short checklist for authors to refer to when evaluating a journal as a possible place of publication for his research. By asking a few short questions and evaluating the journal according to the checklist, authors can be assured that the journal they are considering, whether subscription-based or open access, will be one of quality, rigor, and respect.
Think: Ask yourself, can you trust this journal with your research? Does the journal publish research you would read yourself?
Check: Is the organization or publisher of the journal identifiable? Can you contact them easily?
For journals with publication fees (color charges, Open Access) - are the fees clearly listed on the publisher's website? Reputable publishers should list their fees clearly and publicly.
Do you know the names or reputations of any of the editorial board members?
Are the articles indexed in services you use within your subject area?
Submit: If you can answer yes to these questions, then submit!
This is a modified version of a document created by Sarah Blakeslee at Meriam Library, CSU Chico
Use this interactive tutorial to learn more about Evaluating Information in the digital age.
Remember to always evaluate both internet and non-internet sources before using them in your research.
Some criteria for evaluating sources include:
Download this additional guide from Ohio Dominican University for more help!