2. Evaluating Websites

3. There are millions of documents available on the Internet. Unfortunately, not all of the information is true. Attractive, eye-catching sites are not necessarily good ones. When assessing information on the Internet consider the following: Accuracy Expertise/Authority Bias/Objectivity Currency Coverage

4. Accuracy Can you find the information at other site or in other media? Do you know who wrote the material? Can you contact the author?

5. Expertise/Authority Is the author an expert on the subject? Do you know where they got their information? Are the names and the credentials of the publisher provided?

6. Bias/Objectivity Is the author providing a full picture or are trying to sell something? Is the author trying to convince you of something by offering only selected information?

7. One more thought about bias… … keep in mind that in the case of creating a debate or persuasive essay, bias is not necessarily a bad thing!

8. Currency Is the material old or current? When was the last time the site was updated? Is the site complete or under construction? Are there inactive/dead links?

9. Coverage Does the website cover the topic well? Are there obvious pieces of information missing? Does the website refer to print or other sources? Does the website refer to educational research or other scholarly information?

10. Critical Thinking is Safe Thinking

11. Bibliography CYBERCIS Corporation. "Web Publishing - Internet Consultants." Web Publishing - Internet Consultants. CYBERCIS Corporation, 2000. Web. 16 June 2013. "Evaluating Web Sites." Oksale Virtual Library. NWIC Virtual Library, n.d. Web. 16 June 2013.. "How to Evaluate Website Design Effectiveness?" TheWikiMag. The WikiMag, 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 16 June 2013. "Incomplete Information as the New Competitive Advantage." The Science Of Strategy from Sun Tzus The Art of War. Science of Strategy Institute, 2013. Web. 16 June 2013.. Reid, Janet. "Cold Spring School Library Skills Blog." Cold Spring School Library Skills Blog. Cold Spring School Library, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 16 June 2013. "Website Under Contruction." Website Under Contruction. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2013..