|
|
|
Below we've assembled some useful lists of some of the best reference sites available on the web. Everything from tax tips to homework help and movie reviews to car values.
Evaluating Web Sites |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
You Be the Judge!
Evaluating Information for Reliability
If you've got a computer connected to the Internet, you've got access to a virtual universe of endless information, with just the click of a mouse. But how you navigate through that sea of information means the difference between discovery and discouragement.
That's why we've put together some tools to help you evaluate all that information so you pick the reliable and discard the irrelevant.
Here are some questions you should ask when you visit a web site in search of reliable information.
Who is responsible for the site?
Is there an author? What are his/her credentials? Is the "author" an organization or association?
What type of site is it?
.edu = educational
.org = organization
.gov = government
.net = network/utilities
.mil = military
.com = commercial
When was the site created or updated?
An automated date does not indicate when the information was updated.
Where can you find more information?
Is there contact information other than an e-mail address? Is there documentation for factual statements, assertions and second-hand information? Are there links to other viewpoints, if applicable?
Why was this site created?
Is the goal to sell? To persuade? To advocate an agenda? To inform? Why are advertisements (if any) there? Do they relate to the site?
Visit these excellent online resources to help you learn how to judge information for reliability and accuracy.
Evaluating Web Sites is a comprehensive and informative guide.
http://www.lesley.edu/library/guides/research/evaluating_web.html
Urban Legends and Folklore is a resource that provides timely and valuable information about the dangerous world of rumors, net hoaxes and urban legends.
http://urbanlegends.about.com
The Information Literacy Process provides a detailed outline of the steps involved in becoming information savvy and also includes links for additional information.
http://www.cas.usf.edu/lis/il/process.html
The Big6TM an excellent outline for evaluating information for relevancy and reliability.
http://www.big6.com
Where to Start Your Search for Reliable Information on the Web
These comprehensive reference sites put you on the road to reliable information.
Refdesk.com is an excellent starting point for finding reliable facts on the web.
http://www.refdesk.com
About.com Web sites are selected and featured by expert "Guides" whose pictures, qualifications and e-mail addresses are readily available. Very comprehensive and user friendly.
http://www.about.com
Infomine - Scholarly Internet Resource Collections One of the first and most comprehensive guides to the Internet for academic research. Developed by librarians from the University of California and other California academic institutions, it now includes close to 20,000 web sites.
http://infomine.ucr.edu/
Internet Public Library A virtual reference collection of over 13,000 web sites, cataloged by subject.
http://www.ipl.org/ref/RR
Librarians' Index to the Internet One of the first indexes produced by librarians, this outstanding site is now quite comprehensive and easy to use.
http://lii.org
Useful Guides to Reliable Resources
Below we've assembled some useful lists of some of the best reference sites available on the web. Everything from tax tips to homework helps and movie reviews to car values.
 |
Evaluating Info | Kids & Students | Teachers & Families | News Media | State Library | Library Locator | Contact Us | Home © 2001 Washington State Library |