Using & Evaluating the Web
Links to Additional Information | Tutorials
The Web vs. Library Databases: What's the Difference? (video)
Searching the Web Effectively (video)
Who and what should you believe? Have an attitude of skepticism and require the information to prove its point to you. Do not jump to conclusions too quickly.
ABC's of Information
- Authority & Accuracy
- Authority - does the webpage tell you who created it? What information is provided on the website owner/creator -- their background, reputation, experience related to the topic... Credibility is important! Is this from a responsible organization, peer-reviewed, edited...
- Accuracy - facts and statistics should include the source
- Is Wikipedia Accurate?
- Test it Out! Are these credible sites?
- Bad Apple Test: Are These Credible Sites? You Decide! (Pacific Tree Octopus, Tadoos, Cross Gulf, British Stick Insect Museum)
- Fake or Not Examples - Test Yourself!
- Test Yourself Interactive Quiz!
- RYT Hospital
- Dihydrogen Monoxide (Tip: Double-check this information with one of the medical databases. What does the database say?)
- Antarctica
- National Driver's License Database
- The Onion: Online News
- GodSend Institute
- Ova Prima Foundation (critique of this site)
- All About Explorers
- PPI: Primate Programming, Inc.
- Dominion of West Florida
- Voluntary Human Extinction Movement
- First Genetics
- McWhortle Enterprises, Inc.
- California's Velcro Crop
- PopTart Blow Torch
- White House?
- Check these out! Which of these sources fit the suggested research topic? AIDS Research: My Search Results
- Bias
or Balance
- BP Oil Spill: BP Buys Search Terms
- Is the page biased or presenting a balanced viewpoint?
- Objective, balanced, avoid generalizations, acknowledge varying viewpoints if they exist
- Content
- Currency - how up-to-date is the content?
- Corroborate from several sources. Does the info mesh with other sources that we know are reliable?
Remember...
- Who and what should you believe?
- Have an attitude of skepticism and require the information to prove its point to you.
- Do not jump to conclusions too quickly.
- Base any decision on evaluation and re-evaluation.
Good luck!
Links to Additional Information:
- Evaluating the Web: Who - What - Why (videos)
- Video on How to Evaluate the Web (with examples)
- National Library of Medicine: Health Web Surfing
- Evaluating Health Sites
- Watch this video...
- Be the Internet Detective!
- Evaluating the Web (flash video)
- Urban Legends, Scam Busters...
- Using the Web (flash movie)
- Evaluating Websites (flash movie)
- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources
- Internet Detective
Tutorials
- Learn the Net
- GoogleGuide
- Guide on how to search Google effectively.
- Navigating the World Wide Web
The best guide to resources is a librarian who can help you in using the catalog, databases and the Web. A librarian can also assist you in selecting materials appropriate for your needs. Please ask at any service desk for information or assistance!
The El Centro College Library does not guarantee the currency or accuracy of these websites. Links to these sites do not represent an endorsement of the site or of information contained within the site.
Reference/Information Desk: 214-860-2174 Circulation:
214-860-2175
West Campus: Reference/Information Desk: 972-391-1433 Circulation: 972-391-1427
BJP: (Room 2300) 214-860-5780
Comments or suggestions are welcome.
©2006 El Centro College Library
Dallas, TX
Last Updated:
August 19, 2010