1. 1 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Evaluating Information on the Internet http://www.netskills.ac.uk/ © Netskills, Quality Internet Training University of Newcastle Netskills is a trademark of Netskills, University of Newcastle.

2. 2 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Why Evaluate? No-one controls what is published on the internet The internet allows unprecedented access to masses of information – critical skills are essential! It helps to be aware of: Examples of unreliable information on the internet Clues from web addresses Criteria for evaluation of internet resources

3. 3 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle The 'Net Hoax' False, deliberately deceptive information Often distributed by email 'Antiperspirants cause Breast Cancer' Hoax viruses Usually have identifiable characteristics How to Spot an Email Hoax urbanlegends.about.com/c/ht/00/07/ How_Spot_Email_Hoax0962932962.htm Read about the 'Gullibility Virus' www.stiller.com/gull.htm Check authoritative sources if possible Viruses www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html Hoaxes hoaxbusters.ciac.org/

4. 4 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Misleading Information Not deliberately deceptive, but not necessarily reliable or authoritative Many examples in health-related areas The 'New Discoveries' web site claimed that the HIV virus was caused by flatworms and that it could be cured by the use of a herbal medicine for sale on the web site Further information is at the Quackwatch web pages: www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/ aids.html

5. 5 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Deciphering Web Addresses Web addresses can give clues to the origin of a page Commercial?.co.uk.com Academic?.ac.uk.edu Government?.gov.uk.gov Non-profit organisation?.org.uk.org Be careful – not all domains are regulated!! A personal home page? ~jsmith Work backwards through a URL to get at its source

6. 6 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Evaluation Criteria (1) Content: Who is the intended audience? How comprehensive is the information? Are there links to other quality documents? Do other sites link to this site? Can use link: search some search engines How up-to-date is the information? Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling etc?

7. 7 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Evaluation Criteria (2) Source and Ownership: Who is the author or owner of the information? What is their designation or authority? Does the web address back up the author's claim? Is contact information available? Is there evidence of sponsorship on the web site? Is any bias evident? Is there a disclaimer?

8. 8 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Evaluation Criteria (3) Structure and Layout: Are graphics sensibly used? Is it easy to navigate around the site? Can you search the site? Accessibility Is it slow to access? Does the site often fail to connect? Is it dependent on using specific technologies? Does it meet accessibility guidelines in terms of access by disabled people? www.w3c.org/WAI/ www.cast.org/bobby/

9. 9 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Improving Quality USE Information gateways: INTUTE, OMNI, EEVL etc… Information already evaluated for quality by subject specialists Intute Virtual Training Suite Reputable sites e.g. BMA Links are likely to be good quality

10. 10 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle Summary Learn to recognise the features that make good/bad web sites Use the same criteria you would use to judge other types of publication Use links from sites you know and trust Think critically at all times!