1. Evaluating Internet Sources

2. What are sources? Sources are the places in which you find information such as books, websites, encyclopedias, videos, etc. Therefore “Internet sources” are anywhere you find information on the Internet

3. Why does it matter what I use? Anyone can put whatever they want on the Internet You want reliable information – FACTS!

4. What should I NOT use? Wikis – These allow people other than the author to edit the site. That’s right no Wikipedia or Answers.com. These are fine for quick needed answers but not for true research.

5. What should I check? Authority – Does the person who wrote it know what they are talking about? – Can you tell who wrote it? – Is it an organization that knows?

6. Extreme Example Topic – Who would you trust? or

7. What else should I check? Does it look professional? – Are there typos? Do the links work? Does the web address look reliable? – Is it www.facts.com or www.geocities.com/bettyspagewww.facts.com www.geocities.com/bettyspage

8. Realistic Example Topic – Which site is better? http://www.buzzle.com/articles /interesting-facts-about- abraham-lincoln.html OR http://www.whitehouse.gov/ab out/presidents/abrahamlincoln

9. What else should I check? Do they use first person? – Is it full of ‘’I’’? Is it opinion? Are there advertisments? – Have you heard of the ads? – Do they seem relevant?

10. Realistic Example Topic – Henry David Thoureau Should you use this site?

11. Safe Bet – Webpath Express All the sites for Webpath Express have already been evaluated! You know the sources are reliable! You can get to it from any computer with Internet access!

12. So how do I get there? Go to the library’s homepage Click on the online catalog Click Webpath Express on the left

13. Bibliography You have to cite your sources! (This means tell where you got your information.) For print sources – use the Bibliographic Guide to help you

14. Bibliography If you are on a baseball team, and you need a glove, so you tell your coach that you need a glove. He tells you to go across the street to the store and get a glove. Where did you get the glove? You Google or another search engine Website Information

15. Bibliography For Internet sources – Google or another search engine is never a source!