Evaluation Sources
Evaluating sources can be challenging. Is the source credible, reliable, current, and accurate? Finding sources that fit all expectations can be difficult.
Take a look at this website: http://allaboutexplorers.com/. On the surface this website appears to fit all of our criteria. However, on closer inspection, one will find the information is not credible.
Strategies for Evaluating Web Sources
1. Examine the URL
COMMON EXTENSIONS
.edu Educational organization (most US universities)
.k12 US school site (not all US schools use this)
.ac Academic institution (outside of US)
.sch School site (some schools outside of the US use this)
.com Company (usually .co in the UK)
.org Any organization
.gov Government agency
.net Network
.mil Military institution
New extensions to look for are .biz, .name, .pro, .info. All are used for commercial purposes. Extensions can also include country codes, such as .uk, .ca, .za, etc.
Some extensions may provide more reliable information than others, but there are no guarantees. Ones that may be more reliable are .edu, .gov, and .k12. Ones to watch out for are .com, .org, and .net
2. Use a site such as, www.easywhois.com to validate ownership.
3. Use the site Research Ready to examine the purpose, accuracy, authority, relevance, and currency of a site.
Evaluate the following websites.
Scenario 1:
You are doing a research paper on the Ecology of Food . Which website would you use for your paper?
A-The Farmer's Life
B-Mother Earth News
C-Neither
D-Both
Scenario 2:
You are a manager for a coffee house and are researching the best beans for your coffee. Which website would you use?
A-Coffee Sustainability
B-Coffee and Conservation
C- Neither
D-Both
Scenario 3:
There is a zombie outbreak in town. You will need to use one of the following websites in order to survive. Which website would you use?
A-Preparing for Zombies
B-Zombie Apocalypse
C-Neither
D-Both
Take a look at this website: http://allaboutexplorers.com/. On the surface this website appears to fit all of our criteria. However, on closer inspection, one will find the information is not credible.
Strategies for Evaluating Web Sources
1. Examine the URL
COMMON EXTENSIONS
.edu Educational organization (most US universities)
.k12 US school site (not all US schools use this)
.ac Academic institution (outside of US)
.sch School site (some schools outside of the US use this)
.com Company (usually .co in the UK)
.org Any organization
.gov Government agency
.net Network
.mil Military institution
New extensions to look for are .biz, .name, .pro, .info. All are used for commercial purposes. Extensions can also include country codes, such as .uk, .ca, .za, etc.
Some extensions may provide more reliable information than others, but there are no guarantees. Ones that may be more reliable are .edu, .gov, and .k12. Ones to watch out for are .com, .org, and .net
2. Use a site such as, www.easywhois.com to validate ownership.
3. Use the site Research Ready to examine the purpose, accuracy, authority, relevance, and currency of a site.
Evaluate the following websites.
Scenario 1:
You are doing a research paper on the Ecology of Food . Which website would you use for your paper?
A-The Farmer's Life
B-Mother Earth News
C-Neither
D-Both
Scenario 2:
You are a manager for a coffee house and are researching the best beans for your coffee. Which website would you use?
A-Coffee Sustainability
B-Coffee and Conservation
C- Neither
D-Both
Scenario 3:
There is a zombie outbreak in town. You will need to use one of the following websites in order to survive. Which website would you use?
A-Preparing for Zombies
B-Zombie Apocalypse
C-Neither
D-Both