Evaluation of Internet Resource Sites
Evaluation of Internet sites is crucial. Not all sites are equal!
Unlike the traditional informational media, no one has to approve the content
before it is made public.
An informational web page is one whose purpose is to present
factual information. The URL address often ends in .edu or. gov.
if the pages are sponsored by educational institutions or governmental
agencies. It's important to remember when doing research that
you want an informational site, not one whose purpose is to express personal
opinion, interpretation, persuasion, or entertainment.
Therefore, in evaluating Internet resources, the following criteria
should be applied to determine if you have a truly informational
web page.
CRITERIA #1: CREDIBILITY
-
Is it clear who is responsible for the site? Is there biographical
information on the author as to training/qualifications for writing on
this topic? Is there a way to contact the author (not just e-mail)
such as a mailing address or telephone number?
-
Is it clear who the pages' sponsors are? Is there an organization
the author is affiliated with? What are the sponsors or organizations
qualifications in the context of sponsoring the site?
-
Inclusion of advertising should be viewed as to why it is there, i.e. to
sell, be helpful, etc.
CLUES: Anonymity,
advertising, a preponderance of negative information, poor
grammar
and spelling as well as a rude tone or style.
CRITERIA #2: ACCURACY
-
Are there dates of the page as to when the site was first published or
last revised? Is the information, based on the subject, still
current? While some work is timeless, such as the philosophy of Socrates,
other topics must be current, i.e. technology, in order to be informationally
beneficial.
-
Are the sources for factual information listed so they can be verified
by another source? Is the site comprehensive, or does it leave out
selected data one would expect to be included? Are any other links
present so that the reader can follow up on the information presented?
CLUES: No
old dates, generalizations, rather than concrete, specific
information,
old dates on the rapid change involved in some subjects, and one
sided viewpoints,
not acknowledging an opposing side of an issue.
CRITERIA #3: OBJECTIVITY
-
Again, is the information presented as a public service and free of advertising?
Some organizations are not neutral. Is the material slanted, biased,
or one sided? Is there an obvious, or hidden, conflict of interest?
-
Is the tone a calm, reasonable tone? Is materially argued or presented
thoughtfully and without getting the reader worked up?
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Is the information presented consistently? Does the information contradict
itself?
-
Are sources and support present? Does the site offer sources and
corroboration of the information by citing sources and providing links?
Is a bibliography or other citation listed for the source? Try to
find 3 sources that agree as corroboration as an important test of truth.
This is particularly important when the information presented is dramatic
or surprising.
CLUES: Advertising,
unsupported claims, little or no evidence, highly emotional
tone or language,
surprising claims or those that seem contrary to established
natural laws,
lack of sources, or other referrals, for corroborating material.
Last Updated: June, 2005
Patricia A. Hutchins
http://www.delta.edu/pahutchi/resources.html