| Anybody can publish anything on the Web. And, just because it is on the Web, it does not mean that the information is accurate, credible or reliable. We get many people in the Library using the Internet to find information for an assignment or project, or just to satisfy their curiosity about a topic. Therefore, I'd like to use today's column to illustrate the importance of evaluating your information and its source, particularly on the Web.
The following are things you can and should look out for when using the Web as a source of information - accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and coverage. Unfortunately, on many sites, this information is not explicitly stated. However, if you delve a little deeper into the site you may find the information you're looking for. If you don't, then let this form part of your overall evaluation of the site. Is the material accurate and error-free; have you checked the main points of the story against other sources (eg. other web pages, books, newspapers)? Who is the author and what are their qualifications (academic or otherwise), or are they an average person who has made a web site about their favourite hobby? Are there links to further information about the author (their background, etc)? How objective is the information? Does it reflect a bias or only one viewpoint? Is it designed to sway your opinion? Is there a date on the page to tell you when the information was written or when the page was last updated? Do links to other pages and sites work? In other words, does the site receive regular attention from its creator? What topics are covered and how in-depth is the coverage? Is the page a satire? What can you tell from the address? For example, is it a government site (.gov), a commercial site (.com), or an education site (.edu). Is it a personal page, usually indicated by a tilde (~) in the address, followed by a name? All of the questions above are ones you should be asking yourself when using the Web as a source of information. There is a great deal of information available via the Web, and knowing how to evaluate web sources is important, particularly for students. However, it is just as important for general users of the Web to think critically about what they are reading and to corroborate their facts.
Information for this column was gleaned from several sources, which it would be worthwhile for you to read in their entirety. See the book The Parent's Guide to Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace, by Parry Aftab, and the following web sites: |
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Bundaberg Regional Library Service 2002-2009 Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia Internet Librarian: email here |