Evaluating Internet Resources
WARNING: Anyone Can Publish on the Internet!
For this reason alone, evaluating Internet resources you use in your research is critical. Please check with your instructor as to specific requirements he or she might have regarding Internet resources before you use them in an important paper, mid-term, etc. Please note that many instructors at Viterbo University require students to attach print-outs of web pages they used in their research. These four general criteria will help you determine the quality of information found on a web page:
Authority and Authorship
Criteria:
- Can the author of the page be determined?
- Is contact information provided (name, email, phone number or address)?
- Is the author affiliated with an organization, or is the author speaking for his or her self?
- Are qualifications or credentials for the individual or organization provided?
- Is the author well-known and well-regarding in your own field of study?
Good Example:
The page on Emily Dickinson has an author, contact information and institutional affiliation: http://www.emilydickinsoninternationalsociety.org/
Questionable Example:
What do you really know about this organization? What are its credentials? http://www.dhmo.org
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Objectivity and Point of View
Criteria:
- Does the author have a bias or agenda? (Is this bias stated or hidden?)
- Does the document reside on the Web server of an organization that has a clear stake in the issue at hand?
- Does the author indicate his or her goal in providing the information?
- Is there a disclaimer included in page?
- "Objectivity" can work closely with "Authority"
- Corporate web sites or organizations will present information regarding the corporation or organization in the most positive light.
Good Example:
CancerNet clearly states the goal in providing the information. It does not appear to have a bias for the type of information provided: http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/
Questionable Example:
This page provides stunning news that a cure for all types of cancer has been found, but the page is sponsored by a herb and dietary product company and includes a disclaimer: http://www.drclark.net/cancer/canc_frame.htm
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Accuracy and Coverage
Criteria:
- Is the source of information provided?
- Who is the intended audience?
- What is the focus of the information?
- What is the depth of coverage of the information?
- Remember that almost anyone can publish on the web.
- Research documents should include:
- Data that was gathered
- Explanation of research methods used
- Methodology should be appropriate to the topic
- Bibliography
Good Example:
A page provided Holocaust information and resources from a variety of sources, formats, and organizations:http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/Holocaust/
Questionable Example:
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Currency
Criteria:
- Are dates included ("First Posted" date, "Last Updated" date)?
- Is the information current or out of date?
Good Example:
A web page for an online newspaper that provides weekly information and a "Last Updated" date and time: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Questionable Example:
This web page contains no "Last Updated" date. Click on the back arrow to see if this is current information. Notice "docstore" in the address indicating an older, saved page: http://www.who.int/docstore/tobacco/ntday/ntday96/pk96_1.htm
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Other Matters to Consider
- Does the presentation appear professional (no typos or misspellings)?
- Is the page easy to use and well organized?
- Do the links from the page connect adequately?
- Is special software necessary to view the entire page?
- Remember that the Web can also be a vehicle or medium for reliable information such as databases.
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More Sites About Evaluating Internet Resources
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