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Evaluating Website Credibility: Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

In an age of information overload, it's crucial to evaluate the credibility of websites. We often assume that authors are experts and accept their claims as facts. This guide highlights essential criteria for verifying sources, including website type, author credentials, and the presence of supporting evidence. Recognizing personal biases, understanding what constitutes reliable information, and differentiating between factual statements and personal opinions are key steps to discerning reliable content. Empower yourself with the tools to navigate today’s information landscape effectively.

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Evaluating Website Credibility: Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

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Presentation Transcript

  1. The Real Thing? Evaluating Websites

  2. When I receive information, I usually. . . • assume the author is an expert. • accept that the information is true. • OR do I . . . • consult a credible source to verify the author’s claims/facts.

  3. A statement of fact can be proven by credible evidence. Personal opinion: Statement of belief or feeling. It shows one's feelings about a subject

  4. Know Your Personal Biases Do I tend to look at things as either: “right/wrong” OR “good/bad” ?

  5. Know Your Personal Biases • Insecurity • Fear • Ignorance • Peer/Family influence

  6. How to Know a Reliable Site • What type of website is it? • Who is behind the website? • Is the information supported with verifiable evidence?

  7. What type of website? • promoting an opinion or political agenda • selling a service or product • offering tips/advice • blogs • governmental • scholarly article • Wikipedia-type site

  8. Top Level Domains • Products, Services, Ideas, Agendas (.org, .com) • Non-profits (.org, .edu) • Scholarly/educational (.edu, .org) • Popular press (.com, .org) • Governmental (.gov, .mil) • Personal (.com, .edu, .net)

  9. Author: Who’s Behind the Website? Who pays for the site? Who maintains the site? Who writes the information?

  10. Check to see if site provides an identifying link: “About Us” “Who We Are” “Mission Statement”

  11. Definition: credentials: the education, work, or other experience that qualifies an individual to address a particular topic.

  12. Do You Want Friend or an Expert?

  13. Beware of Unsupported Content

  14. Definition: Reliable site: an authoritative, balanced, and accurate source whose claims can be verified.

  15. Definition: to verify: to determine the accuracy of a statement, fact, or statistic

  16. Unsupported Statements Student’s claim: According to Ebreastaug.com, Americans spent $12 billion on cosmetic surgery (ebreastaub.com). Cited source:

  17. Supported Statements Revised claim: “In 2005, Americans spent approximately $8 billion on surgeons’ fees for cosmetic medical treatments (ASAPS, 2006).” Cited source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank—2005 Statistics. New York, NY: ASAPS, 2006.

  18. Supported Statements Student discovered statistical source in the following article: Sarwer, D. “Physical Appearance & Cosmetic Medical Treatments: Socio-Cultural Influences.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2 (2006): 29-39.

  19. Verifying Sources Check credentials of author: Listed in library databases? Academic Search Elite

  20. Reliability of Author: Credentials Is author the subject of internet chatter? Google the author’s name

  21. How to Tell a Reliable Site • What type of website is it? • Who is behind the website? • Is the information supported with verifiable evidence?

  22. Sorting Personal Opinions from Factual Statements

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