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Website Evaluation

Catherine Bates

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of Pfeiffer, an imprint of Wiley. Slide2

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Overview

Currency

Reliability

Authority

Purpose/Point view

Test

Why do we need to evaluate websites? 1. When accessing information from the

internet we need to determine if the information is accurate before we can use it.

2. Some information on the internet is provided by sources that have an agenda, they present the information in a way that supports their opinion.

3. Some websites are not current and that makes their information incorrect.

4. Often times websites are created by people who have an agenda, knowing who created the website will help you see bias if it is present.

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Steps to website evaluation:

1. CurrencyWas the material previously published in another format?Is there a date listed on which the material was last updated? Are the links active? Remember dates are often found at the end of the webpage.

2. ReliabilityAre sources provided so that the information contained on the site can be verified?

3. AuthorityIs it clear what organization, company, or person (OCP) is responsible for the contents?

4. Purpose/Point of ViewWho sponsors the site? Does the sponsorship affect the contents of the site? Is the point of view of the OCP evident?Is the site free of advertising?

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Remember C.R.A.P. to help you know the difference between the good websites and bad. :

Click each letter to be reminded of the step

C

R

A

P

urrency

eliability

uthority

urpose/ Point of view

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Test

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Test Here is an example of a website that fulfills all the requirements of CRAP, click each word to show the example

Currency: The date provided for the website is current. (remember it is often found at the end of the web page.

Reliability: Sources are present so information can be verified.

Authority: organization in charge of website is clear.

Purpose/ Point of View: It is clear who sponsors the site and what their point of view is

Currency means:

• There is a date somewhere on the website

•There is a last updated date on the website

Example: Although a specific date isn’t given, because this website has a date on it, it fulfills the requirements for currency.

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Test

yes

yes

no

no

Submit

Did you click no? There is no date so this website is not current.

Did you click yes? This website has a date so it is considered current

Currency: Identify which website is current, click yes for current and no for not current

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Reliability means:• The information on the website has sources that can be verified.

Example: Sources and links are provided for the information that is present

yes

yes

no

no

Submit

Did you click yes?

Did you click no?

Click yes if the website is current and reliable, click no if it is not.

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Test

Discuss with your classmates and teacher why the slide is current and reliable, find a few websites that have one or both of these things missing and share them with the class.

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Authority means:• The organization, company, or person responsible for the information is present (this could come in the form of a name of company or person as well as can be identified through the website address)• The OCP is easily identified Example:

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Study the following slides to determine which meets the requirements for currency, reliability, and authority and then answer the question located on the answer question slide.

A

Answer Question Website A

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Answer Question Website B

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Answer Question

Website C

yes

yes

yes

no

no

no

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Answer the following questions:

Did you click No?

Did you click No?

Did you click yes?

Does website A contain evidence of currency, reliability and authority?

Does website B contain evidence of currency, reliability and authority?

Does website C contain evidence of currency, reliability and authority?

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Test

Currency

Reliability

Authority

Click each step to see where it is located on the document

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Discuss with your classmates and teacher why the other two slides do not meet the standards of currency, reliability, and authority.

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Purpose Point of view: • Understanding the point of view of the organization who made the website helps you determine if there is bias present• Knowing the purpose helps you to see if the information is slanted or if both sides of the issue are given equal weight Example: This information comes from a website that claims to be

unbiased, although this may be true, it would be a good idea to check for bias in other articles as well as the one you are using

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Test Study the following three slides and answer, which website has all four elements of CRAP?

Website A

Answer Question

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Answer Question

Website B

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Answer Question

Website C

yes

yes

yes

no

no

no

Submit

Did you click No?

Did you click Yes?

Did you click No?

Does website A have all elements of C.R.A.P?

Does website B have all elements of C.R.A.P?

Does website C have all elements of C.R.A.P?

Continue to next slide to see the parts identified.

Steps Test Menu

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Test

Currency: a date is provided

Reliability: References are provided

Authority: It is clear who the information is provided by

Purpose/ Point of View: It is clear who sponsors the website.

Click each step to see where it is located on the website:

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Test

Pick one of the four topics below to find information on:

The Beatles

Marvel Comics

The Hunger Games

Sunflowers

Once you have picked your topic, find three websites and evaluate them based on CRAP and share with your group.

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Now you know CRAP!