Evaluating a Web Site How do you know what to believe? How do you know what to believe?

The Problem? Anyone can publish ANYTHING they want online (you can self-publish online: you don’t need an editor or a publisher, just some web space). Some sites are MEANT to mislead-- they have a hidden agenda Anyone can publish ANYTHING they want online (you can self-publish online: you don’t need an editor or a publisher, just some web space). Some sites are MEANT to mislead-- they have a hidden agenda

Question your Sources You must learn to look at web sites with a critical eye Just because you find it online doesn’t make it true Think about the following as you find resources on the Internet: You must learn to look at web sites with a critical eye Just because you find it online doesn’t make it true Think about the following as you find resources on the Internet:

Purpose The very FIRST thing to do is determine why the page is there in the first place. To inform? Entertain? To sell you something? Is the advertising on the page separate from the content? Follow the links--where is this site leading you? The purpose may not always be obvious. The very FIRST thing to do is determine why the page is there in the first place. To inform? Entertain? To sell you something? Is the advertising on the page separate from the content? Follow the links--where is this site leading you? The purpose may not always be obvious.

Author Is there an author listed or an “about us/me” link? If so, read it. Do a Google search on the author. Go the root of a web site to find out who pays for the site. Is it a personal web page or a professional web page? How can you tell the difference? Is there an author listed or an “about us/me” link? If so, read it. Do a Google search on the author. Go the root of a web site to find out who pays for the site. Is it a personal web page or a professional web page? How can you tell the difference?

Personal Web Pages Someone’s first & last name A site with “users” or “members” in the address: (ie) members.aol.com/ortiz/photos.htm An academic site with a tilde (~) in the address: (ie) columbia.edu/~profmartin/china.html. Someone’s first & last name A site with “users” or “members” in the address: (ie) members.aol.com/ortiz/photos.htm An academic site with a tilde (~) in the address: (ie) columbia.edu/~profmartin/china.html.

Details Is the web site current? When was it last updated? (look for a date) Does the page have obvious spelling errors or false information? Is the design professional or do-it- yourself? Is the web site current? When was it last updated? (look for a date) Does the page have obvious spelling errors or false information? Is the design professional or do-it- yourself?

Search Smarter Use Google if you use a search engine! It’s the best. Google.com Put quotes around a name or a phrase you want to search Use the plus sign to add to the search and get more specific Check the Google results page--check for the search terms in bold, read summaries--make sure you can use it. Use Google if you use a search engine! It’s the best. Google.com Put quotes around a name or a phrase you want to search Use the plus sign to add to the search and get more specific Check the Google results page--check for the search terms in bold, read summaries--make sure you can use it.

Use Academic Sites Use NYPL.org--it’s free with your library card. Search the library online. Go to the Internet Public Library: to find materials. Search the Library of Congress: loc.gov. Think about where you’d look if there was no Internet & find that source online (government sites, for example). Use NYPL.org--it’s free with your library card. Search the library online. Go to the Internet Public Library: to find materials. Search the Library of Congress: loc.gov. Think about where you’d look if there was no Internet & find that source online (government sites, for example).

Remember… Question your source: just because it’s online, doesn’t mean its true Review your search results--make sure you’ve found what you need Search smarter, find results faster If you’re in doubt, throw it out Question your source: just because it’s online, doesn’t mean its true Review your search results--make sure you’ve found what you need Search smarter, find results faster If you’re in doubt, throw it out