Answer
The reliability of the information you find on a website should be determined by evaluating the site's Authority, Accuracy, Objectivity, Currency and Coverage.
Cornell College has written A Guide to Evaluating Resources which includes what types of questions to ask when evaluating a website:
Criteria
Questions to Ask
Authority
• Is the author and the author’s affiliation clearly indicated?
• Is there contact information for the author?
• Is the publisher (or publishing source) reputable?
Accuracy
• Do editors check the information?
• Is appropriate documentation provided when the author refers to another’s work?
• Is the page error-free?
Objectivity
• Is the purpose of the site clearly stated?
• Does the author make use of emotional appeals instead of logical arguments as a means to sway the opinion of the audience?
• Is sponsorship acknowledged?
Currency
• Is the publication date (date created) clearly stated?
• Is the page revised regularly, with the date posted?
• Are all links active?
Coverage
• What is the purpose of the page? Is the scope clearly stated?
• To what depth does this page purport to delve into the topic? Does it claim to be what it is not?
• Who is the audience for the page? Experts or novices?
The reliability of the information you find on a website should be determined by evaluating the site's Authority, Accuracy, Objectivity, Currency and Coverage.
Cornell College has written A Guide to Evaluating Resources which includes what types of questions to ask when evaluating a website:
|
Criteria |
Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Authority |
• Is the author and the author’s affiliation clearly indicated? • Is there contact information for the author? • Is the publisher (or publishing source) reputable? |
| Accuracy |
• Do editors check the information? • Is appropriate documentation provided when the author refers to another’s work? • Is the page error-free? |
| Objectivity |
• Is the purpose of the site clearly stated? • Does the author make use of emotional appeals instead of logical arguments as a means to sway the opinion of the audience? • Is sponsorship acknowledged? |
| Currency |
• Is the publication date (date created) clearly stated? • Is the page revised regularly, with the date posted? • Are all links active? |
| Coverage |
• What is the purpose of the page? Is the scope clearly stated? • To what depth does this page purport to delve into the topic? Does it claim to be what it is not? • Who is the audience for the page? Experts or novices? |
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