Download Evaluating the Internet (PowerPoint)

•Accuracy
•Authority
•Coverage
•Currency
• Why & How to Evaluate the:
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Accuracy
Authority
Coverage
Currency
Ease of Use
Objectivity
Presentation
• Where to find evaluated sites.
• References
•Ease of Use
•Objectivity
•Presentation
Why consider the
• Anyone can publish anything
they want to on the web.
• Unlike other information
sources, web resources are
rarely reviewed or edited.
• To date there are no universal
standards to ensure accuracy
on the web.
How to consider the
• How reliable is the information?
e.g. Is there evidence of an
editor?
• Can it be supported by other
sources?
• Is the spelling and grammar
accurate?
?
Ask these
questions
?
Why consider the
• Anyone can publish anything
they wish to on the web.
• It is often hard to find the
author’s name on a web page.
• Even if there is a name it is
hard to prove that the person
has the qualifications to write
on the subject.
How to consider the
• Who is responsible for this
site?
– What is the name of the organization?
• Is there an author?
• Is the author a qualified expert
in the area?
?
• Can you prove the authors are
Ask these
who they claim to be?
questions
– Can you contact the author?
?
Why consider the
• Often there is no apparent
indication of the scope of
the information.
• It is difficult to ascertain if
specific topics or specific
time periods of a topic are
being covered.
How to consider the
• Is the site aiming to
comprehensively cover the
topic?
• What topics are covered by
this site?
?
• What is the depth of
Ask these
coverage for each topic? questions
?
Why consider the
• When referencing
assignments it is
necessary to give the
date of your sources.
• On the web there may be
a variety of dates e.g.
–
–
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the date of writing
the date of placing it on the web
the date of the last update
How to consider the
• Are there dates and what do
they indicate?
• When was it last updated?
• Are the hyperlinks still
connected?
• Can you connect to previous
editions? e.g. journals
?
Ask these
questions
?
Why consider the
• The design of a web site is a
vital component in retrieving
the information in it.
e.g.
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Navigation
Use of icons
Layout
Logical arrangement
How to consider the
• Is the site easy to use?
• Is it easy to navigate?
– i.e. Are the navigation buttons
clearly labeled and functional?
• Are the hyperlinks
appropriate?
• How accessible is the
information in the site?
?
Ask these
questions
?
Why consider the
• Anyone can publish anything
they wish to on the web.
• Information from business,
political and religious sites is
often biased as is information
from listservs and newsgroups.
• The aim of the authors is not
always stated.
How to consider the
• Who is the intended audience?
• What is the intended purpose?
• Are there any biases or opinions
indicated by the author?
?
Ask these
questions
?
Why consider the
• Some sites are very
cluttered and finding the
information is difficult.
• Some sites substitute
audio and visual effects for
content.
How to consider the
• What are the graphics like?
– Do they enhance or detract from the
information?
• Can you read the text?
– Is there plenty of clear space?
• Does the site contain
quality audio visual
features?
– Do they enhance or detract from the
information?
?
Ask these
questions
?
References
Beck, Susan. “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:
or Why it’s a Good Idea to Evaluate Web
Sources”.24 July 2001.NM State U. 1 Sep.
2001
<http//lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html >
“Evaluating Internet Resources.” April 1997. University
of Albany Library. 7 Jan 2001
<library.albany.edu/instructional/evaluate html>
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