Evaluating Internet Sources

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Evaluating Internet Sources

• How can you be sure the information is reliable?

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Researching on the Internet
To say that content on the Web varies in quality
is an understatement. The type of content most
useful to you, the learner, depends on what you
are using it for and what your instructors expect
of you. There are some simple rules, though,
which will help you separate the truly good from
the average and -- more insidiously -- the
apparently good.
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What is Useful on the Web? The Web can be a very
useful research tool, providing written
information, images, sound recordings, video, and
much more. When using the Web this way, though,
try to judge sites on their content -- not on the
animation or graphics they might use. Following
these simple guidelines will make it easier to
produce high-quality reports and essays based on
good information.
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• Is the information reliable?
• There are a few things you have to think about
  when considering this.
• Bias. Why was the site created? Who created it?
  Was it someone neutral, or was it someone who
  wanted to send a specific message?

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• Authority.
• Is the writer qualified to speak on the subject?
  Information posted on the Web is not reviewed the
  same way printed material usually is. Good
  sources are
• museum, national library, and archives sites
• government sites
• non-profit cultural organizations like Historica,
  the CBC, and the Canadian Institute of Historical
  Microreproductions (operates Early Canadiana
  Online)
• major, well-known information sources like
  Britannica.com, Encarta.com, and Merriam-Webster
  Online.

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• Primary source.
• Primary sources are the most valuable Web
  resources of all they let you to go to the
  original material and interpret it yourself. All
  instructors are impressed by this. Some sources
  of primary materials are Early Canadiana Online
  www.canadiana.org/, and the Library and Archives
  Canada sites The EvidenceWeb, The Virtual
  Gramophone and Images Canada.

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Does the site have enough information? Does the
site contain a lot of information, or simply a
short description? For a longer essay or report,
in-depth information is more useful. And no
matter how easy it may seem, you should avoid
using material created for young learners in the
primary grades.
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Is the site clear and easy to use? Be careful of
sites that take a long time to load. This can
waste valuable time. Also, check if you can print
the material easily. When you find a good site,
be sure to bookmark it on your browser so you can
return to it easily later.
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Is there advertising? Be careful of sites with
too much advertising, especially if you think
that the site has been created to attract you to
a business. They are less likely to be reliable.
This does not include things like search engines.
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A Website with Bias
http//www.greenpeace.org/international/
Our vision of a better future is only as strong
as the people who support us.  Join Greenpeace
today and add your voice to the movement that's
committed to defending our planet.  Your support
will make all the difference.
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Website with Bias
http//www.protectingcreation
.org/
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A Commercial Website
http//www.climatechangecentral.com/
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A Reliable Website
http//www.ipcc.ch/


The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to
assess scientific, technical and socio- economic
information relevant for the understanding of
climate change, its potential impacts and options
for adaptation and mitigation. It is open to all
Members of the UN and of WMO.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to
assess scientific, technical and socio- economic
information relevant for the understanding of
climate change, its potential impacts and options
for adaptation and mitigation. It is open to all
Members of the UN and of WMO.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to
assess scientific, technical and socio- economic
information relevant for the understanding of
climate change, its potential impacts and options
for adaptation and mitigation. It is open to all
Members of the UN and of WMO.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to
assess scientific, technical and socio- economic
information relevant for the understanding of
climate change, its potential impacts and options
for adaptation and mitigation. It is open to all
Members of the UN and of WMO.
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An Unreliable Website
http//www.worldtorights.co.uk/blog/webboard.html?
Have your Say here! Welcome to the World to
Rights Message board. If you've got something to
say, let the world know by posting a message on
our site. Thank you for visiting World to Rights.
We hope you enjoy your say!
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Glossary Bookmark In this case, to save the URL
of a website on a Web browser. Called "Favorites"
on Internet Explorer. URL Abbreviation of
Uniform Resource Locator, the address you see at
the top of your Web page.
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WORKS CITED
Evaluating Internet Sources A Guide for
Learners. Learning Centre. 30 March 2004.
Library and Archives Canada. 19 April 2005.
lthttp//www.collectionscanada.ca/education/008-
3043-e.html gt.