WEB PAGE REMINDERS

AUTHORITY An authoritative source makes clear: Who is responsible for page’s content? Author’s qualifications Identification of parent organization Parent organization's qualifications

ACCURACY An accurate source presents information that: Is detailed and comprehensive Is recent, where appropriate Lists sources for presented information Links to reputable outside sources

PROBLEMS-Authority Potential problems with Web page authority: Often difficult to determine authorship of web resources If author’s name is listed, qualifications frequently absent Publisher responsibility often not listed Contact information often not listed

PROBLEMS-Accuracy Potential problems with Web page accuracy: Almost anyone can publish on the Web Many Web resources not verified by editors or fact checkers Lies, inaccuracies, distortions, myths, dubious date, stereotypes No links to outside sources for additional information

CURRENCY A Web site with currency indicates: Date the page was written Date the page was placed on the web Date the page was last revised

OBJECTIVITY An objective source: Presents information with a minimum of bias Is fair, balanced and reasonable Is without conflict of interest

PROBLEMS-Currency Potential problems with Web page currency: No dates on Web pages May present stale information May be dead links Factual information often not dated

PROBLEMS-Objectivity Potential problems with Web page objectivity: May advocate one point of view (bias) Failure to differentiate advocacy vs. fact May be difficult to determine goals/aims of site sponsor Can be means of advertising (infomercial)

SO, WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? IN YOUR PAPERS, ALL REFERENCES SHALL BE FROM CITED CASES, REFEREED JOURNALS, RECOGNIZED LEGAL JOURNALS, OR RECOGNIZED LEGAL RESOURCES.

JUST CITING A WEB CITE WILL NOT GIVE YOU CREDIT FOR A REFERENCE. AND REMEMBER JUST CITING A WEB CITE WILL NOT GIVE YOU CREDIT FOR A REFERENCE. i.e. NO “.coms”