Website Evaluation

How do you know if a website has trusted information???

Well sometimes you do not!

Just as library materials have clues as to their accuracy,

so do materials on the Internet.

ASK YOUR SELF THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY

WEBSITE BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO USE IT

FOR RESEARCH PURPOSESä

WHO wrote the information??

What is the author's expertise on the topic?

∑ How much experience does the author have in this area?

∑ What is their occupation?

∑ What is the author's educational background?

Can you contact someone with expertise in the area to validate the opinions or conclusions expressed in the document?

∑ Do you know someone with experience or expertise on this topic?

∑ Can you find someone online whose credibility on this topic is well established?

WHEN was it done??

When was the page published or updated?

∑ Does the date of publication affect the reliability of the information?

∑ Does the date the document was updated affect the reliability of the information?

WHY is the site online??

How reliable is the publisher or owner of the web page?

∑ Is this a national or international organization?

∑ What is the mission of the organization?

∑ Is this site sponsoring the author's page or just providing web space?

∑ Does the site provide a contact for further information?

Does the page show signs of bias in its perspective or presentation?

∑ Is the language of the document extreme?

∑ Does the argument appeal more to the emotions than to reason?

∑ Does the argument oversimplify or over generalize?

∑ Does the author present more than one side or view on the topic?

WHAT is the truth??

What evidence is provided to support opinions and conclusions expressed in the document?

∑ Does the author provide facts to support each important opinion or conclusion?

∑ Is the evidence supported by references to other good authorities on the topic?

∑ Is there information on the page that would allow you to contact the author or publisher to check the information?

WHERE can you go to prove it??

Where can additional information on the topic be found? Is it found in traditional sources such as newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias or library resources?

∑ Do these pages support or contradict facts or opinions on the author's page?

∑ Do these pages add any new information on the topic?

∑ Are these sources likely to be more reliable than the webpage?

HOW good is it??

How accurate is the information in the document.

∑ Are the facts correct? Is there a way to judge accuracy, such as a Works Consulted list or references to other authorities?

∑ Are there typographical or grammatical errors?

Use the information above to evaluate the following website:

Is this a good site to use as a source when doing research on weightlessness?

http://www.franklinlakes.k12.nj.us/famsweb/curriculum/science/hpowers/PowersResearch/Research7/AnnieMsci/weightlessness.html

** and now...YOUR TASK **

click here

http://www.carlisle.mec.edu/school/library/task.htm

updated: 9/19/2005