The document discusses how to evaluate information found on the web through careful analysis. It provides four key steps: 1) examine the URL and publisher to determine potential biases, 2) investigate the author's credentials and expertise on the topic, 3) check the date to ensure currency, and 4) analyze the purpose and potential biases in presentation of the information. The document stresses the importance of skepticism when evaluating online sources, as there are no standards regulating information accuracy on the web like in published sources.

1. Can you TRUST the Web? Evaluating what you find LMS

4. Four steps to web research with HEALTHY SKEPTICISM

5. #1. Look at the URL Who published the page (put it on the web) ? Type of domain, type of site by domain code .com., .edu, .net, .gov, .mil Publisher equivalent usually = “server” or “host” Between the http:// and the first / EXAMPLE http ://library.berkeley.edu /TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

6. Spot & watch out for possible personal pages Is there a ~ or a % in the URL preceding a name ? http://who.what.edu/~pjones/whatever.html http://www.cs.unb.ca/%alopez-o/polind.html All “personal pages” are not unreliable. But look for the author’s credentials and evaluate carefully.

7. #2 Who wrote the page ? Try to establish AUTHORITY/CREDIBILITY Is there a person or organization responsible for the web page? Who sponsors it? Look for a name or e-mail link Does the author have an official title? Credentials of author? “ About” section, “my philosophy” Is there a bibliography or reference page ? If the page does not have either a sponsoring organization or a credible author, it may not be a RELIABLE source.

9. #4 - Objectivity vs. Bias To inform ? To give facts or data or schedules ? To sell, entice ? Is only one side of the argument presented? Can you tell fact from opinion? What is the page’s purpose ? Why was it created ? Be suspicious of too many opinions or advertisements on a web page.

11. Here is a pop quiz for you: Compare these two statistical sites related to AIDS. Which one of the two do you think is a reliable resource for research about AIDS? Why? Exhibit 1 Exhibit 2

12. If you’re not sure about the authenticity of your source, don’t use it! The rule of thumb is “When in doubt, doubt”

13. The Sixties sites The Psychedelic Sixties Counterculture of the Sixties Teen Violence sites Adolescent Violence Teen Violence Practice Exercises