OH, THE INTERNET!!
Here are 6 suggestions to help you with evaluating websites. It’s VERY IMPORTANT to read over this information before you start your searching!
Make sure you are in the right place:
- As weird as it sounds, ask yourself why you are using the Internet.
- Don’t use the Internet because it’s fun and easy. What takes you 2 hours online could take you 2 minutes in a reference book.
- Ask yourself: Does this site address the topic you are researching? Was the page worth visiting?
When in doubt, DOUBT!
- Almost anyone can put up almost anything on the web for almost any purpose.
- Accuracy is not easy to confirm. Information on a site cannot be evaluated unless you compare it to other sources.
- Question the authority of all web sites. Don’t accept an author’s word without checking for supporting evidence.
Consider the source:
- Try to find out who wrote or created the website. Find out not only their names but something that indicates what about them makes them a qualified expert.
Know what’s happening:
- Try to identify the reason the web page was created in the first place. If you know the motive behind the page’s creation, you can better judge it’s content.
- Think about what’s NOT being said on this website.
- If the website is presenting facts and/or statistics, then you should look for documentation. Be suspicious if you do not see documentation.
Look at the details:
- Check for the obvious details like grammar and spelling. Nite the depth of the material presented. Is the language simple or technical?
- Don’t be impressed with graphics. Even the best looking pages can have false or misleading information.
Distinguish web pages from pages found on the web:
- Many articles from newspapers, magazines, government documents, pamphlets, etc are now found on the web.
- On the Internet, you can’t see an article’s glossary, cover, etc. These should be evaluated, too!
* Adapted from ICYou See T is for Thinking
Ithaca College Library