1. The 5 W’s (and 1H) of Cyberspace
Evaluating Web Sites
The 5 W’s (and 1H) of Cyberspace
• Journalists use a set of five questions for getting
the full story
• These questions can be applied in cyberspace to
identify credible online information sources
✓ WHO? ✓ WHAT?
✓ WHEN? ✓ WHERE?
✓ WHY? ✓ HOW?

2. AUTHORITY Who is the source of the information?
• Author or sponsor of the site.
• Qualifications and reputation of source/author.
Questions to ask:
Is there an author? (look for header/footer stating authorship or an , postal address)
Are the author’s credentials listed?
What information can you find about the author?
Who is the sponsor? Is there an “ about “ link?

3. Accuracy What? reliable and error free information Questions to ask:
conformity to fact
precision, exactness
Questions to ask:
Are there typographical & spelling errors?
Credentials of the info. provided?
Can you get to a home page, & find out who edits the page?
Can you cross check this info with a reliable source?
Is the information well written and easy to understand?
Does the web site offer links to other resources?
What is the copyright status of material found on site?
Accuracy

4. Objectivity What are you getting?
✖ judgment based on observable phenomena & uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices
Questions to ask:
★ Does the info show a minimum of bias?
★ Does the site rely on loaded or broad language?
★ Is the page designed to sway opinion?
★ Look at the “about” section of the site
★ Is there any advertising on this page?
★ Is emotion used as a means of persuasion?
★ Are there links to other or alternative viewpoints?

5. Currency When was the site created?
belonging to the present time, being in progress now,
current
Questions to ask:
Is the page dated?
When was the last update?
How current are the links?

6. Where? Study the URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
URLs help identify the source and/or sponsor
The organization behind the website will help determine the site’s credibility
org = non gov’t and/or professional organizations
gov = governmental web pages
com = corporate, business, for profit web pages
edu = educational institution web pages= edu
**There are always exceptions check the page for additional clues, at bottom or top of page or through a link.**

7. Coverage Why are you at this site?
The extent or degree to which something is observed , analyzed, and reported
Questions to ask yourself:
Are there construction signs?
What topics are covered?
How in depth is the material? ( use a site map)

8. Why? Why are you at this site?
Is the online material useful for my purpose?
Am I able to verify this information?

9. How can you tell what’s what?
Always be skeptical of information on the net
Apply the 5 W’s to every website
Double check your sources
Use to see who links to the site you want to use.
Type in link: and the url of the site.

10. Let’s look at some websites
Moonbeam Enterprises
Dihydrogen monoxide 
RYT Hospital
Mankato, Minnesota
General Delivery University
Burmese Mountain Dog
Martin Luther King