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Learn why and how to evaluate websites for reliability. Find out how to check domain names, link credibility, currency, author's background, and purpose.
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Evaluating Websites Last updated: 12/2015
Objectives • By the end of today you will know: • Whywebsites should be evaluated • How to evaluate websites
Why Evaluate? • All websites are not created equally • Example: Martin Luther King, Jr. http://www.martinlutherking.org
How to Evaluate? • Start your research using reliable sources • Cross reference - find the same information in another source
How to Evaluate? • Check Domain names Example, .com, .edu • .gov = governmental agency(very reliable!) Example: hawaii.gov Information at .gov sites needs to be approved before posting.
Link check • Find out who is linking to the site Example, Link:http://www.martinlutherking.org
URL • Check the URL or the web address: • Does is have a tilde “~”? • Indicates a personal website Ex. http://www2.hawaii.edu/~Higa (Who’s Higa? Teacher? Student? Expert in the field?)
Currency • Consider your topic… • Do you need current, or up-to-date information? • Would “old” information be okay?
Authority: Sources listed? • Does the author/site include a list of sources used? • Where did they get their information from? • Can you tell if the sources are credible or not?
Author’s purpose? • To share facts versus opinion? • Fact = something that is true • Opinion = what someone thinks • Bias = a preference for a particular belief or idea over other ideas and beliefs
Example • What do you think Pearl City High School is known for?
Athletics too… Current?
Wikipedia: Rule of Thumb May be a good place to start (ex. references), but not end.
Wikipedia: The Good Side You might find great information under External links
Let’s Review • Check domain names (.gov is good!) • Link check – are others linking to the site and if yes, who? • Currency • Author’s background and purpose (ex. fact versus opinion)
Review (2) • Also, start with reliable sources (ex books, encyclopedias, databases) • Cross reference your information in multiple sources