Evaluating Websites Treasure or Trash?

Evaluating WebsitesTreasure or Trash? Should I really use THIS website? Aimee Riordan SMHS Library Science Class

Authority of Web Documents • Is it clear who the Author of the website is? • Has the author provided contact information such as name, email, phone number and/or address? • If there is no personal author, is a publisher or institution provided along with contact information? • Does the individual or organization list all of their qualifications and/or credentials?

Purpose of Web Documents • Does the website have an .edu, org, or .gov in its URL? • Does the website avoid trying to persuade or sell something? • Is the information on the site relevant to your needs? • Are the links, if any, evaluated and do they complement the document’s theme?

Objectivity of Web Documents • Does the website avoid advertising that may conflict with the interest of the content? • What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author? • If an issue is covered, are both sides presented? • Do you trust the author or organization that has created the website? (Refer back to Authority Notes) • View any Web page as you would an infommercial on TV. Ask yourself, why was this written and for whom? This helps you find biases of the author.

Accuracy of Web Documents • Based on reading you already have done on the subject, does the information on the site seem accurate? • Is factual information reference in footnotes or a bibliography/reference page? • Are there few grammar and spelling mistakes, if any? • If there are links to other pages, are they reliable sources?

Currency of Web Documents • Is the date the site was created provided? • When was it last “updated?” • How up-to-date are the links, if any? • How many dead or “broken” links are on the page? • Is the information on the page outdated?

Miscellaneous Questions to Ask Yourself • Is it all images or a balance of text and images? • If page required special software to view information, how much are you missing if you don’t have that software? • Is it free or is there a fee to obtain the information? • Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?

Putting it All Together • Authority: If your page lists the author, credentials, and/or comes from a reliable publisher/institution • Purpose: If the domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), avoids bias, has relevant information, and… • Objectivity: If your page avoids conflicting advertising, covers both sides of an issue, and…. • Accuracy: If your page has few to no mistakes, has cited factual information, has reliable, relevant links, and…. • Currency: If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links, if any, are also working and up-to-date, and • Misc. Coverage: If you can view the information properly, not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirements, then….

You may have a Web page that could be of value to your research!

Use the following checklist to help Evaluate your Web Pages • http://library.acphs.edu/PDFs/Website%20Evaluation%20Checklist.pdf • Print this form out, two copies, and fill it out with both of your names on it. Turn this in when due/at the end of the time given. • You will use this during your presentation of your websites.

Process – Let’s see what we can do! • You will choose a partner to work with (if odd # in class, have 1 group of 3). • Next, from the given list OR choosing your own topic, do a search to find two websites on that topic: 1 reliable and 1 unreliable. • Use the Evaluation Form for your site evaluation & explanations. • Present to the class once we have finished. • Remember, you are the expert. No one else will have looked at your sites!

Your Turn - Treasure or Trash Now, choose one of the following topics to find two Web pages, 1 that you find to be reliable and can support using our checklist, and 1 that is not reliable, that you can also support using the checklist. You might have to go through many web pages to find two that work for this process. Keep in mind you also should always check a variety of sources to verify information if/when questionable!

Topics – Treasure or Trash? • Teen Pregnancy • Cell Phone Hazards • Video Games Cause Violence? • Sexual Assaults in the Military • Weight Control Disorders • Car Insurance Information OR • Check with me first, and choose your own! • If you simply can not find 2 sites, a good and a bad, check with me for some suggestions

Presentation Requirements • You and your partner(s) will indicate HOW you found your two sites • You and your partner(s) will point out the top 2 reasons your reliable source was TREASURE • You and your partner(s) will point out the top 2 reasons your unreliable source was TRASH

Rubric – How You will be Graded(15 points) Websites fit criteria appropriately/based on Evaluation Form as well (turned in!): 1 reliable /5 1 unreliable /5 Presentation: Explained how websites were found /1 Explained 2 reasons – reliable /2 Explained 2 reasons – unreliable /2

References National Drug Ant-Youth Media Campaign. Drug Facts – Tobacco & Nicotine. http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugstobacco/ Website Evaluation Checklist http://library.acphs.edu/PDFs/Website%20Evaluation%20Checklist.pdf National Center for Biotechnology Information. Nicotine Addiction & Withdrawal http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001949/

Topics and Websites to Evaluate (for teacher only – for suggestions if needed) Leukemia http://www.leukemia-web.org/ http://www.lls.org/ Drug Addiction & Rehabilitation http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment http://www.usnodrugs.com/ Tobacco & Nicotine Use http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001949/ http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugstobacco/

Evaluating Websites Treasure or Trash?