Communication

There are really two ways to interpret this question, but in general, the answer is YES, with a few conditions.

1. You can use websites for your research IF your assignment says you can. If your instructor has asked specifically for journal articles and/or books, then no, you can't.
2. Some websites do contain scholarly or other high-quality information that is appropriate for use in an academic assignment. Just like you do with printed material, you will need to evaluate the websites you find to determine if they meet the standards of quality that you need.

If you find a website that you think might be useful for your assignment, use this list as an evaluation tool. This is just a starting point.

Who

• Who wrote the article?
• Is the author an expert in the field? What credentials does he or she have to suggest that?

What

• What is the nature of the site?
• What sources are listed?
• Is this article appropriate for college-level research?

When

• When was this article or page published?
• When was this site last updated?

Where

• Where is the domain name taking you? 
• Is it connected to an academic institution (.edu)?
• Is it a government site (.gov)?
• Is it a commercial or business site (.com)?
• Where do the links take you?

Why

• Why does this site exist? Is it trying to sell you something? Is it trying to inform, persuade, or recruit you?
• Does the article seem to be objective, or is there any obvious bias or prejudice?
• Does the author use emotional language?
• Is the author writing on behalf of any company or political entity?