1. Created by Karen Christensson Adapted by the SAISD Librarians

2. Hail a R.A.D.C.A.B. A mnemonic acronym for information evaluation
initials to help remember how to evaluate a website

3. Why? Anyone on Internet No qualifications No one checking it
Looks may be deceiving
Not trustworthy, reliable, truthful

4. Must R.A.D.C.A.B. All Web Sites

5. A Process R for Relevancy A for Appropriateness D for Detail
A way to grade/evaluate websites
You are teacher
R for Relevancy
A for Appropriateness
D for Detail
C for Currency
A for Authority
B for Bias

6. Is the information relevant to the question I am asking?
Can it answer my question or does it have nothing to do with it?
Am I on the right track or am I wasting my time?

7. Is the information suitable to my age and my “core values”, what I know to be right and wrong?
Will it help me answer my question?
Does it fill the requirements of my teacher?

8. How much information do I need?
Does it cover enough information to answer many of my questions?
Does the web site offer extra information with external links, internal search engines, indexes?

9. When was the information published?
When was it last updated?

10. Who is the author of the information?
What are his or her qualifications?

11. Why was this information written?
Was it written to inform me, persuade me, or sell me something?

12. Where Do You Start? Remember you must R.A.D.C.A.B. it! Start with R
Relevancy

13. Relevancy Requires websites that answer your questions
Must form questions that focus on topic
Use keywords and search phrases to narrow topic
Don’t type in full question

14. Different levels of information
Don’t choose too young or too old
You know right from wrong: core values
Judge if information makes you feel confused or uneasy

15. You can make sure it is appropriate.
Use databases and teacher-selected web sites for research
“Police" own Internet activity
“Arrest" (or suddenly stop) a site if "you don't get it" or "feel uneasy"
Have "exit strategy" for inappropriate site
Alert librarian or teacher if uneasy with website

16. Quickly scan article for needed information
Determine if it has enough facts
Any tables of contents/indexes on web site
Any external links
Any interactive and graphic elements

17. Table of Contents, External Links, etc.

18. If there is a date, usually posted at top or bottom of page
Is having a copyright date important for this website?
Are external links still current and relevant?

19. Look for Copyright Date

20. Word “author” comes from authority
With whom is the author affiliated?
Can you contact the author? How? Where?
Can you trust this author for accuracy? Why or why not?
Use online library databases
Paid subscriptions, reliable, trustworthy

22. A personal judgment, opinion
Look for:
Web site mission statement
Advertising
Type of language:
emotional
sarcastic
opinionated

23. Domains Give Clues URL Domain Names .com - commercial enterprise
.edu – academic site
.gov – governmental agency
.org – organization, non/profit
.net – network service provider
.mil – military site
~Name-personal home page

24. Don't forget to R.A.D.C.A.B.! D for Detail C for Currency
For any search engine website
R for Relevancy
A for Appropriateness
D for Detail
C for Currency
A for Authority
B for Bias

25. The decision is yours!