Info Lit Tutorial: Session 4 Applying Criteria for Evaluating Information - How to find high-quality & appropriate web sites. - What do you need to consider when you evaluate the Internet? Understanding the Internet The Internet is a huge, self-publishing resource which is not well organized. Although the Internet can be a very fast and effective tool for information and communication, we can NOT rely only on the Internet for all information needed for academic research. "Finding a needle in a haystack" requires a little know-how and critical thinking skills. To better understand the World Wide Web, such as browsers, URL, domain names, etc., consult the following internet tutorial by University at Albany Libraries: Understanding the World Wide Web What do you need to consider when you evaluate the Internet? What Elements of web you need to consider? -- A Checklist for Evaluating Web Pages Authority Accuracy Currency  Objectivity Coverage   Authority Who is the author/producer? Is it clear who is responsible for the contents of the page? Is there a link to a page describing the goals of the author/producer? Are contact names & addresses given? Is there a statement of copyright? Accuracy Why was the page created? How complete is the information provided? What is the relative value of this site in comparison to other     information resources? Is there a reference note, so the sources for any quotations and factual information can be verified in another source? Currency When was the site produced? When was it last revised? Do links work? Are there any other indications that the material is kept current? Objectivity Is the information free of advertising? Is the information provided as a public service? Is bias evident? If there is advertising on the page, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content? Coverage Is it clear what topics the page intends to address? Is the page succeed in addressing these topics, or has something significant been left out? Is there an indication that the page has been completed? If there is a print equivalent to the Web page, is there a clear indication of whether the entire work is available on the Web or only part of it? Go to Top Self-test After completing the session, a self-test is necessary to assess what you have learned. Info Lit Tutorial Session 4: Quiz NEXT BACK

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