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Internet Pathfinder - Evaluating the Internet

If you are researching a topic on the Internet, ask the following questions about any information you might find. If you have questions that this page does not address, talk to a member of the library staff or contact the writing center.

Online Reference Desk Navigation:
  1. Authority
    • Who wrote the information and can you contact them?
    • What are their qualifications for writing on this subject?
    • Where did they get their data?
    • Do they give evidence to support their statements?
    • Why are they providing you with this information?

  2. Timeliness
    • Is the material up-to-date?
    • Is the date given when the material was published?
    • If links are used on the web page, are they up-to-date or have they recently been changed?

  3. Scope
    • How broad or narrow is the topic?
    • Does the information given cover the topic?

  4. Clarity
    • Is the information clearly presented?
    • Is it well organized?
    • Is the web site easy to use?

  5. Objectivity
    • Is the information biased or unbiased?
    • If the information comes from a web site that is an advertisement, is the material still objective?
    • To what extent does the information try to change your opinion about the subject?
    • Is this good or bad?

  6. Scholarship
    • Is the information published by a scholarly professional organization?
    • Does the author use a specialized vocabulary?
    • Does the information include a biography?
Bibliography:
Resource Name Info Access
Critical Literacy: a librarian and an English professor collaborate by Kay Harvey No Information The Eighth Off-Campus Library Services Conference (pp. 175-181) - 1998
Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: a guide for library instruction by Jim Kapoun No Information College and Research Library News (Vol 59, Num 7, pp. 522-523) - 1998