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Learn why it's challenging to find trustworthy information online and explore steps to assess web sources effectively. Understand the importance of credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support in your research. Discover valuable tips and a checklist to make informed decisions when evaluating web pages.
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How to Evaluate Web Pages By: Meghan Maleski, School Librarian
Why is it hard to find good info? • Anyone may publish • Info is “unfiltered” • There is a wide variety of information available • Electronic documents can be altered easily
Step 1: Consider your needs • Pre-evaluation • What exactly is your assignment? • Is your topic controversial? • Do you require statistics? • Do you require an analysis?
Tips • Select sources that offer: • Author’s Name • Author’s Title or Position • Author’s Organizational Affiliation • Date of Page Creation • Author’s Contact Information
Why is reliable information Important? • As information consumers, we need to make informed decisions every day. Being able to evaluate information is a life skill.
The “CARS”Checklist • Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, and Support • Designed for ease of use • Way of finding quality information online
Credibility • Some questions to ask: • Is there sufficient evidence presented to make the argument persuasive? • Are there compelling arguments and reasons given? • Are there enough details for a reasonable conclusion?
Accuracy • Watch out for: • No date on the document • Vague assertions • Sweeping language, for example the use of always, never, ever • An old date on rapidly changing information • One-sided view
Reasonableness • Look for: a source that is fair, balanced, objective and reasoned • Watch out for: • Extreme language • Overclaims • Conflict of interest
Support • Consideration: • Where did this information come from? • What sources did the writer use? • Are the sources listed? • Is there a bibliography? • Is there contact information?
Put your skills to work • Your topic: Presidential elections in the U.S. • Imagine that you are writing a 5 page paper about this topic. From the websites listed, pick one or two to visit. Use the worksheet provided as a means of evaluating the sites.
www.usconstitution.net/elections.html • http://historycentral.com/elections • http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lawhome.html • http://presidentialelection.com
Thank you • Meghan Maleski, Head School Librarian at Chicago Public Schools • Visit me in the library during school hours or email me at malemegh@my.dom.edu