introduction be a critical researcher evaluating the reliability & validity of websites
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Introduction
Be a Critical Be a Critical ResearcherResearcher
Evaluating the Reliability & Validity of Websites
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Introduction
• The Internet is one of the first places we turn to when we need to do research.
• Unfortunately the Internet also has a lot of misinformation out there.
• It is your job to become a Critical Researcher.
• You must ask specific questions to determine if
a website is valid and reliable.
Let’s Begin!
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
The 5 W’s for Website The 5 W’s for Website EvaluationEvaluation
Ask Yourself:• Who• What• Where• When• Why
* Click on a criteria to learn more
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
WhoWho (Authority)
• Who is the author of the website? – Is the author clearly stated?– Is it a group, an organization, or an
individual?• Is the author an expert in this field? • Is there a link to contact the author?• Is there a link for additional
information about the author?
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
What What (Objectivity)• What is the purpose of the site? Why was it
created?– To entertain– To inform or give facts– To persuade, sell, promote or entice– To share– A Combination of the above
• Have more than one purpose, such as entertaining you while trying to sell you something or convince you to believe in something?
• Is the author being objective or biased? • Does the author present the information as fact
or opinion?
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Where Where (Accuracy)
• Where does the information come from?• Are the sources of information
reputable?• Does the author include links to related
websites?– Do the links work?
• What are the sources of information for the site? – Does the site have a bibliography or list of
references?
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
When When (Currency of Info)
• When was the website created?• Is there a date that tells the last
update or revision? • Is the information up-to-date? • Does it matter to you whether
this information is outdated or not? Why or Why not?
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Why Why (Coverage)
• Does the website provide valuable information?
• Can you verify this information from another trustworthy source?
• Is the site relevant to your needs? • Whom is the site intended for? • Is the information appropriate for your age
group?• Is the vocabulary appropriate for your reading
level?• Does the site have a quality look and feel?
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example Websites of…Example Websites of…
• Who – Example 1 / Example 2
• What - Example 1 / Example 2
• Where - Example 1 / Example 2
• When - Example 1 / Example 2
• Why - Example 1 / Example 2
Use the Criteria for Website EvaluationCriteria for Website Evaluation to determine if the example websites are goodgood or badbad examples of ReliableReliable and ValidValid websites.
* Click on an example to see the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Explanation ofExplanation ofExample WebsitesExample Websites
• Who – Example 1 / Example 2
• What - Example 1 / Example 2
• Where - Example 1 / Example 2
• When - Example 1 / Example 2
• Why - Example 1 / Example 2
Read the explanation for each example to know if your evaluation of each website was correct or
not.
* Click on an example to read the explanation
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 (Who - Authority)
Click the image to go to the website http://www.nineplanets.org/
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 (Who - Authority)
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm Click the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 - Explanation• The Nine 8 Planets • http://www.nineplanets.org/• This site seems to have a lot of
information on the planets. Most of the site seems to be accurate and current. However when you investigate the author a little more you realize that the author is a software engineer. The author is clearly not an expert on the subject of the solar system.
Who -Authority
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 - Explanation
• The Solar System Exploration • http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/
index.cfm• This site comes directly from NASA,
which is a credible source.
Who -Authority
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 (What - Objectivity)
http://www.dhmo.org/
Click the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 (What - Objectivity)
http://www.neutrogena.com/home.aspClick the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 - Explanation• Dihydrogen Monoxide • http://www.dhmo.org/• Literally, the term "dihydrogen monoxide" means "two
hydrogen, one oxygen", consistent with its molecular formula: the prefix di- in dihydrogen means "two", the prefix mono- in monoxide means "one", and an oxide is a compound that contains one or more oxygen atoms.
• The dihydrogen monoxide hoax involves listing negative effects of water under an unfamiliar scientific name, then asking individuals to help control the seemingly dangerous substance. The hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears. Dihydrogen monoxide, shortened to DHMO, is a scientific name for water that, while technically correct, is almost never employed.
What - Objectivity
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 - Explanation• Neutrogena Skin Care • http://www.neutrogena.com/home.asp• This site is trying to persuade us to purchase
Neutrogena products by telling us we will have “Smoother skin today. Younger-looking skin tomorrow.” The site states that it’s products are Dermatologist Recommended, does this mean all dermatologist recommend Neutrogena and we shouldn’t use any other products? No, all dermatologist do not recommend this product. This site is just trying to sell us a product and the site is not objective.
What - Objectivity
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 (Where - Accuracy )
http://147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.htmClick the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 (Where - Accuracy )
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.htm
Click the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
• The True but little known Facts about Women with AIDS, with documentation
• http://147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.htm • At first glance, it is easy to believe the information on this
site has a high level of reliability and accuracy because, after all, it is sponsored by an academic institution. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes very clear that this site is nothing but a hoax and the information included is fictional. The author of the web site actually states that the site is a hoax. An uninformed viewer and a non-critical thinker, however, could easily be persuaded to believe the information included on this web site.
Example 1 - ExplanationWhere - Accuracy
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 - Explanation
• HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets • http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.htm
• While it isn't clearly stated most of the information provided is based on reports, surveys, studies, and research done by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Since the web site’s purpose is to convey information about HIV/AIDS to a general audience, the research method isn't easily assessable. Many of the Fact Sheets do make general reference to how the stats were
gathered or which report the information was taken.
Where - Accuracy
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 (When - Currency of
Info)
Snap Shot retrieved Dec. 3, 2009 http://42explore.com/volcano.htm
Click the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 (When - Currency of
Info)
Snap Shot retrieved Dec. 3, 2009 http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
Click the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 - Explanation
• Volcanoes • http://42explore.com/volcano.htm• This site has not been updated
since August of 2001. Some of their links are broken and outdated. I would stay away from this site and try to find a more current site for my volcano research.
When - Currency of Info
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 - Explanation
• Volcano Hazards Program • http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/• This site from the USGS is current
and up-to-date. It has the latest news on the happenings of the volcanoes from around the US.
When - Currency of Info
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 (Why - Coverage )
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/know_drugs.html
Click the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 (Why - Coverage )
http://www.brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htmClick the image to go to the website
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 1 - Explanation• What You Need To Know About
Drugs • http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/
drugs_alcohol/know_drugs.html• A kid-friendly website discussing drugs
and their side effects. The content is age appropriate and the vocabulary is age appropriate. The site has activities for the kids to do. There are specific links for kids and teens relating to feelings, how to deal with peer pressure, how to stay healthy, etc.
Why - Coverage
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Example 2 - Explanation• Brain on Drugs • http://www.brainsource.com/
brain_on_drugs.htm
• The main website is about the Brain. It has a link to some information on the effects drugs have on the brain. The website is not bad; it does give good information about the effects drugs have on the brain. However if you are looking for a more comprehensive website dealing with Kids and Drugs you would need to find other websites to gather that information.
Why - Coverage
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Summary• Be careful while searching the Internet.• Use the Criteria & Questions you
learned to help you determine if a site is valid and reliable.– Who – Who created the site?– What – Is the purpose of the site clear?– Where – Is the information accurate?– When – Is the information current?– Why – Is the information useful?
• Make sure you can find most of the criteria in the websites you use for your research.
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Works Cited• http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/webresourcesevaluation/• http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/staff/sharkey/interneteval/• http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/evaluatingsources.pdf• http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html• http://www.dianelauer.com/fivewww/webeval.html• http://muse.widener.edu/~tltr/How_to_Evaluate_9.htm
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Quiz: Question 1
Which criteria will help you determine if the website is presented as fact or opinion?
A
B
D
C
Currency of Info
Accuracy
Objectivity
Authority
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Quiz: Question 2
The criteria of Authority will help you determine if the author is an expert in their field.
True False
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Sorry! That is incorrect
• Click HERE to review which criteria will help you determine if a website is presented as fact or opinion.
The 5 W’s
Explanation of
ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary
Sorry! The statement is False
Back to Questio
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