Transcript Evaluating Information on the Internet

Evaluating Information on
the Internet
http://www.netskills.ac.uk/
© Netskills, Quality Internet Training
University of Newcastle
Netskills is a trademark of Netskills, University of Newcastle.
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© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Why Evaluate?
No-one controls what is published
on the internet
 The internet allows unprecedented access
to masses of information – critical skills are
essential!
 It helps to be aware of:
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Examples of unreliable information
on the internet
Clues from web addresses
Criteria for evaluation of internet
resources
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
The 'Net Hoax'
False, deliberately deceptive information
 Often distributed by email
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'Antiperspirants cause Breast Cancer'
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Hoax viruses
Usually have identifiable characteristics
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Check authoritative sources if possible
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How to Spot an Email Hoax
urbanlegends.about.com/c/ht/00/07/
How_Spot_Email_Hoax0962932962.htm
Read about the 'Gullibility Virus'
www.stiller.com/gull.htm
Viruses www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html
Hoaxes hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Misleading Information
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Not deliberately deceptive, but not necessarily
reliable or authoritative
Many examples in health-related areas
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The 'New Discoveries' web
site claimed that the HIV virus
was caused by flatworms and
that it could be cured by the use
of a herbal medicine for sale on
the web site
Further information is at the Quackwatch web pages:
www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/
aids.html
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Deciphering Web Addresses
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Web addresses can give clues to the
origin of a page
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Commercial? .co.uk
Academic? .ac.uk
Government? .gov.uk
Non-profit
organisation? .org.uk
.com
.edu
.gov
.org
Be careful – not all domains are regulated!!
 A personal home page?
~jsmith
 Work backwards through a URL to get at its
source
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Evaluation Criteria (1)
Content:
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Who is the intended audience?
How comprehensive is the information?
Are there links to other quality documents?
Do other sites link to this site?
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Can use link: search some search engines
How up-to-date is the information?
Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling
etc?
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Evaluation Criteria (2)
Source and Ownership:
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Who is the author or owner of the information?
What is their designation or authority?
Does the web address back up the author's claim?
Is contact information available?
Is there evidence of sponsorship on the web site?
Is any bias evident?
Is there a disclaimer?
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Evaluation Criteria (3)
Structure and Layout:
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Are graphics sensibly used?
Is it easy to navigate around the site?
Can you search the site?
Accessibility
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Is it slow to access?
Does the site often fail to connect?
Is it dependent on using specific technologies?
Does it meet accessibility guidelines in terms of
access by disabled people?
www.w3c.org/WAI/
www.cast.org/bobby/
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Improving Quality
USE
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Information gateways:
INTUTE, OMNI, EEVL etc…
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Information already evaluated for
quality by subject specialists
Intute Virtual Training Suite
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Reputable sites e.g. BMA
Links are likely to be good quality
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Summary
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Learn to recognise the features
that make good/bad web sites
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Use the same criteria you would
use to judge other types of publication
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Use links from sites you know and trust
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Think critically at all times!
© Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle