Post on 11-Jan-2016
Evaluating Online SourcesFreshman II
Why do we have to evaluate online sources?
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
There are 10 aspects of an online source that should be checked
PurposeWhy was the page created?
- To inform-Entertain-Share information-Advertise-Influence views (advocacy)-Provide updated information (news)-Personal enjoyment
Sponsor/OwnerOn what type of Internet provider or
organization does the page reside?
-Government agency -Educational -Business/Company -Association (professional, trade,
entertainment) -News Bureau -Personal (individual)
Organization and Content
Is the page organized and focused?
Is the text well-written?Is it well-designed?
Bias
Is the author biased?Is he neutral?What is his stance towards the
issue at hand?
Date of Production/Revision
When was the Web page produced?
When was it last revised?
UsefulnessIs the Web page relevant to the
current research project?
Authority/AuthorWho 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?
What is it?Web-only pageJournal articleGovernment sourceBlogPersonal home page….etc?
AudienceTo what type of audience is the
web page directed?
CoverageHow far does the page cover
your topic? Comprehensively Partially It is just an overview
Taken from:Colorado State UniversityQuestia Newsletter