Evaluating Information on the Internet

Unlike the ACS Media Center, the Internet has no media specialist available to sort out the valuable information from the substandard “stuff” found there

“Nobody knows you’re a dog on the Internet”

Students (and Teachers) need to learn how to distinguish between “the good and the bad”, “the worthwhile and the worthless”

The ability to critically evaluate information is an essential skill in the information age

You may have some memories of Web sites that left you wondering... “who made this?” or “Is this for real?”

What do you think about Mankato? Climate? Climate? History? History? Culture? Culture?

Criteria for Evaluating WebSites Accuracy Accuracy Authority Authority Objectivity Objectivity Currency Currency Coverage Coverage Other criteria Other criteria

Accuracy Is the information reliable and error- free? Is the information reliable and error- free? Are the links accurate? Are the links accurate? Are the sources cited? Are the sources cited? Does the content seem believable? Does the content seem believable?

You be the judge - Accuracy Jason’s Dinosaur Site Jason’s Dinosaur Site Jason’s Dinosaur Site Jason’s Dinosaur Site Walking with Dinosaurs Walking with Dinosaurs Walking with Dinosaurs Walking with Dinosaurs Land O’ Dinosaurs Land O’ Dinosaurs Land O’ Dinosaurs Land O’ Dinosaurs

Authority Who are the authors of the site, and what are their qualifications? Can they be contacted? Who are the authors of the site, and what are their qualifications? Can they be contacted? Is the site sponsored by a business, organization, or educational institution? (Look at the domain in the URL) Is the site sponsored by a business, organization, or educational institution? (Look at the domain in the URL) Is it reputable and legitimate? Is it reputable and legitimate? Is there an “about us” link? Is there an “about us” link?

You be the judge: Authority Harriet Beecher Stowe: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Woman of Many Words Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Woman of Many Words Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Woman of Many Words Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Woman of Many Words Harriet Beecher Stowe: Mother, Reformer Harriet Beecher Stowe: Mother, Reformer Harriet Beecher Stowe: Mother, Reformer Harriet Beecher Stowe: Mother, Reformer

Objectivity Does the information reveal a bias? Does the information reveal a bias? Is the page designed to sway opinion? Is the page designed to sway opinion? What are the goals or objectives of the page? What are the goals or objectives of the page?

You be the judge: Objectivity Health Hazards of Tobacco - Some Facts Health Hazards of Tobacco - Some Facts Health Hazards of Tobacco - Some Facts Health Hazards of Tobacco - Some Facts Secondhand Smoke: The big lie Secondhand Smoke: The big lie Secondhand Smoke: The big lie Secondhand Smoke: The big lie

Currency When was the Site produced? When was the Site produced? When was the site last updated ? When was the site last updated ? If there is no explicit mention of the last update – skim the page and check links to determine currency. Are there many dead links? If there is no explicit mention of the last update – skim the page and check links to determine currency. Are there many dead links? Is the information on the page outdated? Is the information on the page outdated?

You be the judge: Currency Children’s Gardens Children’s Gardens Children’s Gardens Children’s Gardens Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center Educational Resources Information Center Educational Resources Information Center Educational Resources Information Center Educational Resources Information Center

Coverage What topics are covered, and how thoroughly ? What topics are covered, and how thoroughly ? What is its intrinsic value ? What is its intrinsic value ? Is some content restricted (fees, members only, etc) ? Is some content restricted (fees, members only, etc) ?

You be the judge: Coverage The New York Times The New York Times The New York Times The New York Times The Grand Rapids Press at mlive.com The Grand Rapids Press at mlive.com The Grand Rapids Press The Grand Rapids Press

Other Criteria you would use?

Web Evaluation Guided Tour urs/tour04/_tourlaunch1.htm

Credit goes to David Snyder, ASCD Reference Librarian, for these guidelines for Evaluating Website Information. ASCD 2003 Conference Presentation: “Searching for Accurate Information on the Internet”