2. Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool

3. The Internet Issue The Internet has arrived as a resource, whether we’re ready for it or not. Currently, there are over one billion web pages available. Many of those web pages are created by individuals. No one verifies information before it’s published.

4. What are the clues to “good” information? Date Is the date the information was written and/or last updated clearly marked? Author Who is responsible for the information on the page? Affiliations Is the author affiliated with any group or organization that might influence his/her viewpoint? Contact Information Is a way to contact the author (email, phone, postal address) provided on the web site? Background Is the information presented verifiable in outside sources?

5. Who is responsible for the information being presented? Is it from an individual or an organization? What are the goals of the author in presenting this information? Are the qualifications that allow the author to speak authoritatively on the topic listed? Are the background and expertise of the individual/organization given?

6. Who is responsible for the information being presented? This is what using information from the Internet all boils down to. If this question can’t be answered, the information should not be used. Period.

7. Where is the information coming from? Domain names give basic information on where data is originating. The domain name is the first piece of information after the http:// of an Internet address. Extensions are part of the domain name (such as.edu) and indicate the type of organization that is responsible for the information.

8. .gov Extensions Indicates a government web site. A wealth of information, especially statistics are available. The only place that you can somewhat safely assume that the information has been checked for accuracy before it’s been published.

9. Government Web Site

10. .edu Extensions Indicates a college or university web site. Remember that most colleges and universities also allow faculty, staff, and students to publish information on the institutional web site. Individual sites are usually marked by a tilde (~), i.e. www.mtsac.edu/~ddistant.

11. Educational Web Site

12. Faculty Web Site

13. .org Extensions Indicates an organizational web site. Remember that while.org domains are intended for non-profit organizations, the reality is that anyone can obtain one. Organizations include everything from professional (the AMA) to political (the NRA).

14. Organizational Web Site

16. .net Extensions Generally indicates an Internet service company. Internet service companies allow subscribers to publish web sites. Individual sites are often noted with a tilde (~), i.e. home.earthlink.net/~senseirob.

17. Individual Web Page

18. .com Extensions Indicates a commercial web site. Anyone may obtain a.com domain name. Keep in mind that these sites are generally trying to sell you something, such as a product or an opinion. Information will only be presented in such a way as to make it look favorable.

19. Commercial Web Site

20. Did someone else consider this information acceptable? Was the web site reviewed and recommended from a reliable source? Most search engines and directories do not evaluate the sites that they index. In fact, a number of search engines accept payment for higher rankings in result listings.

21. Can you defend the authoritativeness of any web site you cite? What is it about that web site that made you decide to use information from it? Can you write a 1 – 2 sentence explanation of why your source is authoritative enough to include in your list of works cited? Include that explanation in your works cited list.

22. Who is responsible for the information being presented? This is what using information from the Internet all boils down to. If this question can’t be answered, the information should not be used. Period.