A brief lesson on how to assess the quality and worth of an Internet source

Internet sources must be evaluated to assure their authenticity and relevance because Web sites and pages do not go through the intensive editing processes that traditional print and visual resources do.

Therefore, YOU, the user, must learn to assess the validity of the sources you use in your research.

Don’t be fooled into believing that just because it’s on the Internet, it’s true. In essence, don’t believe everything that you read!

Authority Currency Accuracy Objectivity Usability

Appropriateness

Authority refers to the reliability and credibility of the source.

What are the author’s qualifications? Is the author or source affiliated with a

reputable organization? Is there a contact person listed? Is there evidence of quality control?

edu = college or university gov = government agency or organization org = non-profit organization mil = military organization com = commercial organization info = general information site net = network provider int = intergovernmental organization

•A tilde ~ after the domain type usually

indicates a personal web page and not an

official part of that organization’s site

•Look for personal data about the author or

organization

•Look for contact information, an email

address, webmaster, editor, etc.

Very often, Internet sources offer a real

advantage in that they are often even

more current than traditional print

sources.

The information can be updated

constantly.

However, you must be aware that the dates on an Internet

site have various meanings.

Date of information - usually indicates when the material was originally written

Date of publication - usually indicates when the material first appeared on the Web

Date of last revision or update - usually indicates the latest revision

And check the links to make sure that they are up-do-date!!!

Dependable? Error-free? Documented? Accurate? Comprehensive? Understandable?

Accuracy refers to the

reliability of the

information.

To examine the quality

of the content on the

site, ask the following

questions:

Is the information

?

?

?

? ?

?

Is there evidence of bias?

Is only one side of an issue presented?

Is any information purposely omitted?

Is there a hidden message?

What is the purpose of the site? To persuade, inform, explain, sell, promote, or ridicule?

Can you tell facts from opinions?

This refers to purpose of the site, evidence of bias

or prejudice, and facts vs. opinion.

User friendliness- Is it easy to find, read, and use the information?

Organization- Is it logically and clearly arranged?

Table of Contents or Index- Is it labeled clearly and is it complete?

Design- Is it clean, clear, and uncluttered?

Consistency- Are navigation buttons the same throughout?

Links- Are they clear, accurate, workable, valuable?

Usability refers to user friendliness and how easily the site allows

you to retrieve information. Consider the following criteria:

Advocacy Webpages Business/Marketing Webpages Informational Webpages News Webpages Personal Webpages

Various types of webpages exist. Examine the purpose of the site

to help you to determine the appropriateness for use in your

research. Five types are listed below.

(from Jan Alexander and Marsha Ann Tate of Widenour University)

It is very useful for some topics and almost useless for others.

Use a variety of sources, both Internet and traditional sources

Always question the validity of the information that you find.

Remember the important evaluation criteria to consider.

Remember that the Internet is not the only source of

information.

Authority Currency Accuracy Objectivity Usability Appropriateness

Happier,

Smarter,

More Successful

Researcher!!

O’Neill, Ann B. “Trash or Treasure? How to Evaluate Internet Resources.” 16 Nov. 2004. 7 Apr. 2005 <http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/tips/eval.html>.

Special thanks to the students and instructors in Mansfield University’s School Library and Information Technology program