Evaluating Information on the WebGetting the Most Out of Your Resources

After This Presentation, You Will Be Able To:

• Evaluate web information using the 5 Ws.

• Recognize questionable web information sources.

• Identify appropriate information on the web to integrate into your projects.

We Know You’ve Heard This Before…

• Google and Wikipedia are not always reliable, etc.

• So why are we saying it again?

• Taking initiative and choosing the best sources can lead to better projects and better grades.

Image courtesy of MLibrary

Understanding Bias and Objectivity: Is This Information

Reliable? • Information from only one point of view, or biased

information, can be unreliable. • Bias can be difficult to detect, especially when we

agree with the point of view put forward. • Websites that address controversial topics or use

words such as "all" or "never" may be biased toward one point of view, even if they mention the other side of the argument.

• Ask yourself if the website is using images or language that is trying to appeal to your emotions. If so, it is probably not objective.

How can you easily evaluate information on the web?

Just ask yourself

Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Image courtesy of gavinandrewstewart at flicker.com

Who?

• Who wrote the information?• What are the author’s credentials?• Who sponsors or publishes the site?

Compare the authors of these two web sites.

• Solar System Exploration: Planets: Pluto• Pluto: The Planet Pluto

While the information may be accurate on both sites, use the more reliable source.

• What is the purpose of the site?

• What information is presented?

• What information is missing?

Compare these two sites:CO2 Science

Global Warming

Determining the purpose of a site can help you figure out if it’s objective, biased, or omitting other viewpoints.

What?

Image courtesy of alexanderdrachmann at flickr.com

Where?

• Where does the information come from?• Are there links to reliable external web sites? • Where can I verify the information presented?

Compare these two. Which do you trust?• Mercola.Com: Take Control of Your Health• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Good sites tell you from where they got their information. Look for citations to sources & links to good web sites.

When?

• Is the information current for the topic at hand?

• Has it been updated recently?

Is this webpage current? FinAid Saving for College

Having the most up to date information is critical for many kinds of research.

Image courtesy of Lucius Beebe Memorial Library at flickr.com

Why?

• Why would you use this information over other information available?

• How does it fit your research goals?• What are you trying to prove with the information you find?

If you wanted to write an objective report of a recent news event, would you use the information at this site?

If you wanted to write a paper about perceptions of media bias, would you use the information at this site?

So while a source may be inappropriate for one paper, it can be perfect for another!

Remember…

When evaluating sources for a research project:

Just ask yourself Who? What? Where? When? Why?