Introduction Be a Critical Researcher Evaluating the Reliability & Validity of Websites

Introduction

Be a Critical Be a Critical ResearcherResearcher

Evaluating the Reliability & Validity of Websites

The 5 W’s

Explanation of

ExamplesExamples Quiz Works CitedSummary

Introduction

• The Internet is one of the first places we turn to when we need to do research.

• Unfortunately the Internet also has a lot of misinformation out there.

• It is your job to become a Critical Researcher.

• You must ask specific questions to determine if

a website is valid and reliable.

Let’s Begin!

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


The 5 W’s for Website The 5 W’s for Website EvaluationEvaluation

Ask Yourself:• Who• What• Where• When• Why

* Click on a criteria to learn more

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


WhoWho (Authority)

• Who is the author of the website? – Is the author clearly stated?– Is it a group, an organization, or an

individual?• Is the author an expert in this field? • Is there a link to contact the author?• Is there a link for additional

information about the author?

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


What What (Objectivity)• What is the purpose of the site? Why was it

created?– To entertain– To inform or give facts– To persuade, sell, promote or entice– To share– A Combination of the above

• Have more than one purpose, such as entertaining you while trying to sell you something or convince you to believe in something?

• Is the author being objective or biased? • Does the author present the information as fact

or opinion?

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Where Where (Accuracy)

• Where does the information come from?• Are the sources of information

reputable?• Does the author include links to related

websites?– Do the links work?

• What are the sources of information for the site? – Does the site have a bibliography or list of

references?

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


When When (Currency of Info)

• When was the website created?• Is there a date that tells the last

update or revision? • Is the information up-to-date? • Does it matter to you whether

this information is outdated or not? Why or Why not?

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Why Why (Coverage)

• Does the website provide valuable information?

• Can you verify this information from another trustworthy source?

• Is the site relevant to your needs? • Whom is the site intended for? • Is the information appropriate for your age

group?• Is the vocabulary appropriate for your reading

level?• Does the site have a quality look and feel?

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example Websites of…Example Websites of…

• Who – Example 1 / Example 2

• What - Example 1 / Example 2

• Where - Example 1 / Example 2

• When - Example 1 / Example 2

• Why - Example 1 / Example 2

Use the Criteria for Website EvaluationCriteria for Website Evaluation to determine if the example websites are goodgood or badbad examples of ReliableReliable and ValidValid websites.

* Click on an example to see the website

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Explanation ofExplanation ofExample WebsitesExample Websites

• Who – Example 1 / Example 2

• What - Example 1 / Example 2

• Where - Example 1 / Example 2

• When - Example 1 / Example 2

• Why - Example 1 / Example 2

Read the explanation for each example to know if your evaluation of each website was correct or

not.

* Click on an example to read the explanation

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 (Who - Authority)

Click the image to go to the website http://www.nineplanets.org/

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 (Who - Authority)

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm Click the image to go to the website

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 - Explanation• The Nine 8 Planets • http://www.nineplanets.org/• This site seems to have a lot of

information on the planets. Most of the site seems to be accurate and current. However when you investigate the author a little more you realize that the author is a software engineer. The author is clearly not an expert on the subject of the solar system.

Who -Authority

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 - Explanation

• The Solar System Exploration • http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

index.cfm• This site comes directly from NASA,

which is a credible source.

Who -Authority

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 (What - Objectivity)

http://www.dhmo.org/

Click the image to go to the website

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 (What - Objectivity)

http://www.neutrogena.com/home.aspClick the image to go to the website

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 - Explanation• Dihydrogen Monoxide • http://www.dhmo.org/• Literally, the term "dihydrogen monoxide" means "two

hydrogen, one oxygen", consistent with its molecular formula: the prefix di- in dihydrogen means "two", the prefix mono- in monoxide means "one", and an oxide is a compound that contains one or more oxygen atoms.

• The dihydrogen monoxide hoax involves listing negative effects of water under an unfamiliar scientific name, then asking individuals to help control the seemingly dangerous substance. The hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears. Dihydrogen monoxide, shortened to DHMO, is a scientific name for water that, while technically correct, is almost never employed.

What - Objectivity

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 - Explanation• Neutrogena Skin Care • http://www.neutrogena.com/home.asp• This site is trying to persuade us to purchase

Neutrogena products by telling us we will have “Smoother skin today. Younger-looking skin tomorrow.” The site states that it’s products are Dermatologist Recommended, does this mean all dermatologist recommend Neutrogena and we shouldn’t use any other products? No, all dermatologist do not recommend this product. This site is just trying to sell us a product and the site is not objective.

What - Objectivity

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 (Where - Accuracy )

http://147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.htmClick the image to go to the website

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 (Where - Accuracy )

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.htm


The 5 W’s

Explanation of


• The True but little known Facts about Women with AIDS, with documentation

• http://147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.htm • At first glance, it is easy to believe the information on this

site has a high level of reliability and accuracy because, after all, it is sponsored by an academic institution. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes very clear that this site is nothing but a hoax and the information included is fictional. The author of the web site actually states that the site is a hoax. An uninformed viewer and a non-critical thinker, however, could easily be persuaded to believe the information included on this web site.

Example 1 - ExplanationWhere - Accuracy

The 5 W’s

Explanation of



• HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets • http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.htm

• While it isn't clearly stated most of the information provided is based on reports, surveys, studies, and research done by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Since the web site’s purpose is to convey information about HIV/AIDS to a general audience, the research method isn't easily assessable. Many of the Fact Sheets do make general reference to how the stats were

gathered or which report the information was taken.

Where - Accuracy

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 (When - Currency of

Info)

Snap Shot retrieved Dec. 3, 2009 http://42explore.com/volcano.htm


The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 (When - Currency of

Info)

Snap Shot retrieved Dec. 3, 2009 http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/


The 5 W’s

Explanation of



• Volcanoes • http://42explore.com/volcano.htm• This site has not been updated

since August of 2001. Some of their links are broken and outdated. I would stay away from this site and try to find a more current site for my volcano research.

When - Currency of Info

The 5 W’s

Explanation of



• Volcano Hazards Program • http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/• This site from the USGS is current

and up-to-date. It has the latest news on the happenings of the volcanoes from around the US.

When - Currency of Info

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 (Why - Coverage )

http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/know_drugs.html


The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 (Why - Coverage )

http://www.brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htmClick the image to go to the website

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 1 - Explanation• What You Need To Know About

Drugs • http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/

drugs_alcohol/know_drugs.html• A kid-friendly website discussing drugs

and their side effects. The content is age appropriate and the vocabulary is age appropriate. The site has activities for the kids to do. There are specific links for kids and teens relating to feelings, how to deal with peer pressure, how to stay healthy, etc.

Why - Coverage

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Example 2 - Explanation• Brain on Drugs • http://www.brainsource.com/

brain_on_drugs.htm

• The main website is about the Brain. It has a link to some information on the effects drugs have on the brain. The website is not bad; it does give good information about the effects drugs have on the brain. However if you are looking for a more comprehensive website dealing with Kids and Drugs you would need to find other websites to gather that information.

Why - Coverage

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Summary• Be careful while searching the Internet.• Use the Criteria & Questions you

learned to help you determine if a site is valid and reliable.– Who – Who created the site?– What – Is the purpose of the site clear?– Where – Is the information accurate?– When – Is the information current?– Why – Is the information useful?

• Make sure you can find most of the criteria in the websites you use for your research.

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Works Cited• http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/webresourcesevaluation/• http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/staff/sharkey/interneteval/• http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/evaluatingsources.pdf• http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html• http://www.dianelauer.com/fivewww/webeval.html• http://muse.widener.edu/~tltr/How_to_Evaluate_9.htm

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Quiz: Question 1

Which criteria will help you determine if the website is presented as fact or opinion?

A

B

D

C

Currency of Info

Accuracy

Objectivity

Authority

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Quiz: Question 2

The criteria of Authority will help you determine if the author is an expert in their field.

True False

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Sorry! That is incorrect

• Click HERE to review which criteria will help you determine if a website is presented as fact or opinion.

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Sorry! The statement is False

Back to Questio

n

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Correct!

Next Question

The 5 W’s

Explanation of


Correct!

End Quiz

Introduction

Congratulations!

You are a Critical Researcher!

Documents

Introduction Be a Critical Researcher Evaluating the Reliability & Validity of Websites