1. Evaluating Online Sources Freshman II

2. Why do we have to evaluate online sources?

3. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: There are 10 aspects of an online source that should be checked

4. Purpose Why was the page created? - To inform -Entertain -Share information -Advertise -Influence views (advocacy) -Provide updated information (news) -Personal enjoyment

5. Sponsor/Owner On what type of Internet provider or organization does the page reside? -Government agency -Educational -Business/Company -Association (professional, trade, entertainment) -News Bureau -Personal (individual)

6. Organization and Content Is the page organized and focused? Is the text well-written? Is it well-designed?

7. Bias Is the author biased? Is he neutral? What is his stance towards the issue at hand?

8. Date of Production/Revision When was the Web page produced? When was it last revised?

9. Usefulness Is the Web page relevant to the current research project?

10. Authority/Author Who is the author of this page? Is the author an expert in this field? How accurate is his/her information? Is bias evident in the text?

11. What is it? Web-only page Journal article Government source Blog Personal home page ….etc?

12. Audience To what type of audience is the web page directed?

13. Coverage How far does the page cover your topic? Comprehensively Partially It is just an overview

14. Taken from: Colorado State University Questia Newsletter