Credible Sources

1. Credible Sources How and Why?

2. They can’t put anything on the Internet that isn’t true.

3. Evaluating Web Pages • Skillfully evaluating web pages requires you do two things: • Train your eyes to employ a series of techniques that help you quickly find what you need to know • Train your mind to think critically , even suspiciously, by asking a series of questions that will help you decide how much a web page is to be trusted *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

4. What can the URL tell you? • Is it somebody’s personal page? • Personal pages are not necessarily bad, but you need to investigate the author carefully. For personal pages, there is no publisher or domain owner vouching for the information on the page. • What type of domain does it come from? • Is the domain appropriate for the content? • .gov, .edu, .org • Country codes are no longer tightly controlled and may be misused. • Is it published by an entity that makes sense? • You can rely more on information that is published by a credible or well-known source. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

5. Who wrote the page? • Look for the name of the author, organization, institution, agency who is responsible for the page • You are looking for someone who claims accountability and responsibility for the content. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

6. Is the page dated? Is it current enough? • Undated factual or statistical information is not reliable. • You want to have current information or know when the information was created to be accurate in your research. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

7. What are the author’s credentials on this subject? • Anyone can put anything on the web using little or no money and very little time. • You must distinguish between the reliable and questionable. • Critically evaluate if the web page is based on opinion or fact. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

8. Are sources documented with footnotes or links? • For quality research, the credibility lies in giving credit to the original author primarily through footnotes or citing. • Saying what you believe without documentation is not much better than just expressing an opinion. • If the links don’t work or lead to other unreliable pages, it will not help the credibility of the site you are on. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

9. Are there links to other resources on the topic? • Well-developed pages offer links to other pages on the same topic that the author considered worthwhile. • Pages that offer opposing viewpoints as well as their own are more likely to be balanced and unbiased than pages that offer only one view. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

10. Why was the page put on the web? • Inform, give facts, give data • Explain, persuade • Sell • Share • The web is a public place, open to all. You need to be aware of the entire range of human intentions behind creating web pages. *Copied from http://lib.berkeley.edu

11. Is this website as credible and useful as the resources (books, journals, articles, etc.) available in print or online through the library? • Normally, published information is considered more reliable than what is on the web. But many reputable agencies and publishers make great stuff available by publishing it on the web. • Take the time to check into the credibility of the source you are using.

12. Is this site credible? Scan and View!

13. Boys-Evaluate this website! Girls-Evaluate this website!

14. Everyone—Evaluate this!

15. Exit Ticket • What elements should you evaluate in order to determine if a website is a credible and reliable for your research?

16. Homework • Read your Author’s book!