education, information, web criteria

1. E VA L U AT I O N O F W E B S I T E S
WEBSITE CRITERIA

2. WEBSITE URL: SOURCE OF WEBSITE
• Government site?
• www.whitehouse.gov www.cdc.gov
• Organizational?
• www.peta.org www.nra.org
• A dotcom site?
• www.disney.com www.microsoft.com

3. .EDU = ACADEMIC,
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

4. .GOV = GOVERNMENT

5. .ORG = ORGANIZATIONS
charitable, religious or non-profit group

6. .COM = BUSINESS

7. OTHER URLS
.mil = military site
.net = network

8. CRITERIA
• Purpose: The reason or reasons the item was written. To inform you
about the issue? To persuade you to buy something? To entertain?
• Authority: The qualifications of the writer. What makes him/her an
expert on the topic? This can apply to both a person and an
organization.
• Currency: The time when the item was written. Is the information still
true? Does your topic need only the most up-to-date information or
would something a few years old be acceptable?
• Accuracy: The absence of errors and use of reliable information. Is the
information correct? Does the source make claims you can prove? Are
there any spelling or grammatical errors?
• Content: The information provided by the item. Does it contribute new
or different information to your research paper? What types of sources
does the author or creator rely upon?

9. PURPOSE
USDA
PETA.org
USDA
• The reason or reasons the
item was written.
• To persuade you to support
a cause? To entertain?
• To provide factual
information?
USDA.gov

10. AUTHORITY [AUTHORSHIP]
Who writes material, entries
or articles for the site?
Who is featured on the site
[experts in the field,
journalists?]
PETA.org
USDA.gov

11. CURRENCY
Look at bottom for date. This usually
indicates last updated version of site.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal
/usda/usdahome

12. ACCURACY.
The absence of errors and
use of reliable information.
Is the information
verifiable?
Does the source make
claims you can prove with
other sources?
http://thelastgreatstand.com/

13. CONTENT
The information provided by the
item.
Does the source answer the
questions you have?
Does it contribute new or
different information to your
research paper?
https://www.nal.usda.gov/
publications

14. AUTHORITY IS OFTEN MORE DEFINED
IN PUBLISHED SOURCES
Writer
• Editor
• Board Audience
Writer Audience
Published Sources
Web Resources:
• Website
author
• Website
Publisher
• No one!

15. ORGANIZATIONS = OBJECTIVITY?
Animal Rights
• Organizations
present specific
perspectives on
issues they
represent
• Language Use
[emotional versus
factual]

16. VALUE OF ORGANIZATIONAL
WEBSITES
• Sometimes questions existing information
[even factual]
• Presents alternative perspectives on
topics
• Examines conflicting/opposing viewpoints
on topics

17. WHICH SITE WOULD YOU USE?
TOPIC: Vegetarianism

18. WEBSITES FOR EXERCISE
A. Meat vs. Vegetarian Diet
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/jul2012/feature1
B. Vegetarianism in a Nutshell: Health
www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/vegetarianism-in-a-
nutshell-health.aspx
C. Vegetarianism and Nutrition
http://vegetariannutrition.net/faq/
D. Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Explained
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/vegetarian-and-
vegan-diet
E. Becoming a vegetarian
http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-
vegetarian
F. The Vegetarian Conscious
http://www.hedweb.com/hillman/vegethic.htm

19. MORE WEBSITES
You are writing a research paper exploring the pros and cons of using
“marriage promotion” as a means to decrease poverty and improve families’
well-being. Which source below would be a more reliable source of
statistics? Be prepared to explain your reasoning.
A. The Heritage Foundation
www.heritage.org/Research/Family/cda0306.cfm
B. The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study
www.fragilefamilies.princeton.edu/
C. Both choices are equally good.
D. Neither choice appears reliable.

20. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TWO
ORGANIZATIONAL SITES
Try distinguishing between these two sites for the topic:
Animal Cruelty.
A. Humane Society of America
http://www.humanesociety.org/?credit=web_id235304807
B. PETA: People for Ethical Treatment of Animals
• http://www.peta.org/
What are some differences between the sites/organizations?
How do you think each organization approaches the cause of
animal cruelty?