Be a Critical Researcher

1
Be a Critical Researcher

• Evaluating the
• Reliability Validity of Websites

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Introduction

• The Internet is one of the first places we turn
  to when we need to do research.
• Unfortunately the Internet also has a lot of
  misinformation out there.
• It is your job to become a Critical Researcher.
• You must ask specific questions to determine if a
  website is valid and reliable.

Lets Begin!
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The 5 Ws for Website Evaluation
Click on a criteria to learn more

• Ask Yourself
• Who
• What
• Where
• When
• Why

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Who (Authority)

• Who is the author of the website?
• Is the author clearly stated?
• Is it a group, an organization, or an individual?
• Is the author an expert in this field?
• Is there a link to contact the author?
• Is there a link for additional information about
  the author?

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What (Objectivity)

• What is the purpose of the site? Why was it
  created?
• To entertain
• To inform or give facts
• To persuade, sell, promote or entice
• To share
• A Combination of the above
• Have more than one purpose, such as entertaining
  you while trying to sell you something or
  convince you to believe in something?
• Is the author being objective or biased?
• Does the author present the information as fact
  or opinion?

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Where (Accuracy)

• Where does the information come from?
• Are the sources of information reputable?
• Does the author include links to related
  websites?
• Do the links work?
• What are the sources of information for the site?
  
• Does the site have a bibliography or list of
  references?

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When (Currency of Info)

• When was the website created?
• Is there a date that tells the last update or
  revision?
• Is the information up-to-date?
• Does it matter to you whether this information is
  outdated or not? Why or Why not?

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Why (Coverage)

• Does the website provide valuable information?
• Can you verify this information from another
  trustworthy source?
• Is the site relevant to your needs?
• Whom is the site intended for?
• Is the information appropriate for your age
  group?
• Is the vocabulary appropriate for your reading
  level?
• Does the site have a quality look and feel?

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Example Websites of
Click on an example to see the website

• Who Example 1 / Example 2
• What - Example 1 / Example 2
• Where - Example 1 / Example 2
• When - Example 1 / Example 2
• Why - Example 1 / Example 2

Use the Criteria for Website Evaluation to
determine if the example websites are good or bad
examples of Reliable and Valid websites.
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Explanation ofExample Websites
Click on an example to read the explanation

• Who Example 1 / Example 2
• What - Example 1 / Example 2
• Where - Example 1 / Example 2
• When - Example 1 / Example 2
• Why - Example 1 / Example 2

Read the explanation for each example to know if
your evaluation of each website was correct or
not.
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Example 1 (Who - Authority)
Click the image to go to the website
http//www.nineplanets.org/
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Example 2 (Who - Authority)
http//solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm
Click the image to go to the website
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Example 1 - Explanation
Who -Authority

• The Nine 8 Planets
• http//www.nineplanets.org/
• This site seems to have a lot of information on
  the planets. Most of the site seems to be
  accurate and current. However when you
  investigate the author a little more you realize
  that the author is a software engineer. The
  author is clearly not an expert on the subject of
  the solar system.

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Example 2 - Explanation
Who -Authority

• The Solar System Exploration
• http//solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm
• This site comes directly from NASA, which is a
  credible source.

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Example 1 (What - Objectivity)
Click the image to go to the website
http//www.dhmo.org/
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Example 2 (What - Objectivity)
Click the image to go to the website
http//www.neutrogena.com/home.asp
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Example 1 - Explanation
What - Objectivity

• Dihydrogen Monoxide
• http//www.dhmo.org/
• Literally, the term "dihydrogen monoxide" means
  "two hydrogen, one oxygen", consistent with its
  molecular formula the prefix di- in dihydrogen
  means "two", the prefix mono- in monoxide means
  "one", and an oxide is a compound that contains
  one or more oxygen atoms.
• The dihydrogen monoxide hoax involves listing
  negative effects of water under an unfamiliar
  scientific name, then asking individuals to help
  control the seemingly dangerous substance. The
  hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of
  scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis
  can lead to misplaced fears. Dihydrogen monoxide,
  shortened to DHMO, is a scientific name for water
  that, while technically correct, is almost never
  employed.

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Example 2 - Explanation
What - Objectivity

• Neutrogena Skin Care
• http//www.neutrogena.com/home.asp
• This site is trying to persuade us to purchase
  Neutrogena products by telling us we will have
  Smoother skin today. Younger-looking skin
  tomorrow. The site states that its products are
  Dermatologist Recommended, does this mean all
  dermatologist recommend Neutrogena and we
  shouldnt use any other products? No, all
  dermatologist do not recommend this product. This
  site is just trying to sell us a product and the
  site is not objective.

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Example 1 (Where - Accuracy )
Click the image to go to the website
http//147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.ht
m
20
Example 2 (Where - Accuracy )
Click the image to go to the website
http//www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.
htm
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Example 1 - Explanation
Where - Accuracy

• The True but little known Facts about Women with
  AIDS, with documentation
• http//147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.ht
  m
• At first glance, it is easy to believe the
  information on this site has a high level of
  reliability and accuracy because, after all, it
  is sponsored by an academic institution. However,
  upon closer inspection, it becomes very clear
  that this site is nothing but a hoax and the
  information included is fictional. The author of
  the web site actually states that the site is a
  hoax. An uninformed viewer and a non-critical
  thinker, however, could easily be persuaded to
  believe the information included on this web
  site.

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Example 2 - Explanation
Where - Accuracy

• HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets
• http//www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.
  htm
• While it isn't clearly stated most of the
  information provided is based on reports,
  surveys, studies, and research done by the Center
  for Disease Control (CDC). Since the web sites
  purpose is to convey information about HIV/AIDS
  to a general audience, the research method isn't
  easily assessable. Many of the Fact Sheets do
  make general reference to how the stats were
  gathered or which report the information was
  taken.

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Example 1 (When - Currency of Info)
Click the image to go to the website
Snap Shot retrieved Dec. 3, 2009
http//42explore.com/volcano.htm
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Example 2 (When - Currency of Info)
Click the image to go to the website
Snap Shot retrieved Dec. 3, 2009
http//volcanoes.usgs.gov/
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Example 1 - Explanation
When - Currency of Info

• Volcanoes
• http//42explore.com/volcano.htm
• This site has not been updated since August of
  2001. Some of their links are broken and
  outdated. I would stay away from this site and
  try to find a more current site for my volcano
  research.

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Example 2 - Explanation
When - Currency of Info

• Volcano Hazards Program
• http//volcanoes.usgs.gov/
• This site from the USGS is current and
  up-to-date. It has the latest news on the
  happenings of the volcanoes from around the US.

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Example 1 (Why - Coverage )
Click the image to go to the website
http//www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/k
now_drugs.html
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Example 2 (Why - Coverage )
Click the image to go to the website
http//www.brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htm
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Example 1 - Explanation
Why - Coverage

• What You Need To Know About Drugs
• http//www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/k
  now_drugs.html
• A kid-friendly website discussing drugs and their
  side effects. The content is age appropriate and
  the vocabulary is age appropriate. The site has
  activities for the kids to do. There are specific
  links for kids and teens relating to feelings,
  how to deal with peer pressure, how to stay
  healthy, etc.

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Example 2 - Explanation
Why - Coverage

• Brain on Drugs
• http//www.brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htm
• The main website is about the Brain. It has a
  link to some information on the effects drugs
  have on the brain. The website is not bad it
  does give good information about the effects
  drugs have on the brain. However if you are
  looking for a more comprehensive website dealing
  with Kids and Drugs you would need to find other
  websites to gather that information.

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Summary

• Be careful while searching the Internet.
• Use the Criteria Questions you learned to help
  you determine if a site is valid and reliable.
• Who Who created the site?
• What Is the purpose of the site clear?
• Where Is the information accurate?
• When Is the information current?
• Why Is the information useful?
• Make sure you can find most of the criteria in
  the websites you use for your research.

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Works Cited

• http//www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/webresour
  cesevaluation/
• http//www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/staff/sharkey/inter
  neteval/
• http//www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/evaluatingsour
  ces.pdf
• http//lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html
• http//www.dianelauer.com/fivewww/webeval.html
• http//muse.widener.edu/tltr/How_to_Evaluate_9.ht
  m

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Quiz Question 1
Which criteria will help you determine if the
website is presented as fact or opinion?
Currency of Info
A
Accuracy
B
Objectivity
C
D
Authority
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Quiz Question 2
The criteria of Authority will help you determine
if the author is an expert in their field.
True
False
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Sorry! That is incorrect

• Click HERE to review which criteria will help you
  determine if a website is presented as fact or
  opinion.

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Sorry! The statement is False
Back to Question
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Correct!
Next Question
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Correct!
End Quiz
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Congratulations!You are a Critical Researcher!