Evaluating Internet Resources Mike Burgmeier Coordinator of Library Instruction Olson Library, Northern Michigan University Kevin McDonough Reference and Research Support Services Librarian Olson Library, Northern Michigan University

Introduction Principles for Web evaluation are similar to those for print resources Six main criteria for evaluating Web pages Evaluating Internet Sources guide Criteria should be taken as a whole

Authority Who is the Author? Provides accountability Not always prominently displayed on a site Sponsor of site may be responsible for content.edu = educational institutions.gov = government sites.org = organizational sites.com = commercial sites Not always an individual; can be an organization

Authority What are their qualifications? Indicates someone is qualified to speak intelligently about a subject Educational background, current job position, reputation Look for an author’s list of credentials Look for links about the author or organization

Authority Can you verify the author or organization? Confirms legitimacy of author or organization Allows contact for further information Look for an address ( or postal) or phone number Be suspicious of sites you cannot verify

Authority Is the source of information known to be reliable? Indicates some level of oversight for the information presented If an organization, examine its reputation Check membership info, publications, date established, etc. in Encyclopedia of Associations Search traditional periodical and newspaper databases Journals & magazines offer editorial control Government sites have checks and balances

Accuracy Is the information complete or free from errors? Anyone can publish Web documents Web documents are rarely edited No existing standards to ensure accuracy Be on the look out for References Incomplete citations Spelling or grammatical errors

Objectivity Is there evidence of bias? Biased writing overly simplifies an issue Examine author’s background or name of sponsoring organization Goals and objectives of sponsoring organization

Objectivity Is there evidence of bias? Tone of writing Information intertwined with advertising

Currency Is the subject matter time sensitive? Determines appropriateness Scientific or technical issues versus historical subjects A site should give some indication when it was created and/or last updated

Coverage Who is the intended audience of the information? How in-depth is the material? Is the information presenting a new perspective on the topic?

Appearance Is there sound organization? Do the links function? Is the page maintained?

Group Exercise Divide into groups of people Analyze assigned Web site Authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, appearance Determine if scholarly source Explain your decision to the class

Internet Evaluation and the Classroom Students first need print evaluation skills Grade students on quality of sources Include photocopy of Web sites Have students justify sources used As part of an annotated biblography Refer to library guide on Web evaluation Consider a library instruction session Have students search evaluative subject directories

Internet Evaluation and the Classroom Students need print evaluation skills Grade students on the quality of sources Include photocopy of Web sites Have students justify sources As part of an annotated biblography Point students to Web evaluation guides Coordinate into library instruction sessions Encourage the use of Internet subject directories and gateway sites