Evaluating a Web Site

1
Evaluating a Web Site

• How do you know
• what to believe?

2
The Problem?

• Anyone can publish ANYTHING they want online (you
  can self-publish online you dont need an editor
  or a publisher, just some web space).
• Some sites are MEANT to mislead--they have a
  hidden agenda

3
Question your Sources

• You must learn to look at web sites with a
  critical eye
• Just because you find it online doesnt make it
  true
• Think about the following as you find resources
  on the Internet

4
Purpose

• The very FIRST thing to do is determine why the
  page is there in the first place.
• To inform? Entertain? To sell you something?
• Is the advertising on the page separate from the
  content?
• Follow the links--where is this site leading you?
  
• The purpose may not always be obvious.

5
Author

• Is there an author listed or an about us/me
  link? If so, read it.
• Do a Google search on the author.
• Go the root of a web site to find out who pays
  for the site.
• Is it a personal web page or a professional web
  page? How can you tell the difference?

6
Personal Web Pages

• Someones first last name
• A site with users or members in the address
  (ie) members.aol.com/ortiz/photos.htm
• An academic site with a tilde () in the address
  (ie) columbia.edu/profmartin/china.html.

7
Details

• Is the web site current? When was it last
  updated? (look for a date)
• Does the page have obvious spelling errors or
  false information?
• Is the design professional or do-it-yourself?

8
Search Smarter

• Use Google if you use a search engine! Its the
  best. Google.com
• Put quotes around a name or a phrase you want to
  search
• Use the plus sign to add to the search and get
  more specific
• Check the Google results page--check for the
  search terms in bold, read summaries--make sure
  you can use it.

9
Use Academic Sites

• Use NYPL.org--its free with your library card.
  Search the library online.
• Go to the Internet Public Library www.ipl.org to
  find materials.
• Search the Library of Congress loc.gov.
• Think about where youd look if there was no
  Internet find that source online (government
  sites, for example).

10
Remember

• Question your source just because its online,
  doesnt mean its true
• Review your search results--make sure youve
  found what you need
• Search smarter, find results faster
• If youre in doubt, throw it out