10/2003
Critically Evaluating the 'Net
(Based on J Rettig and C LaGuardia, 1998)
The quality of information available via the WWW varies; this leads to the need to critically approach the contents of Web sites. Here are eight criteria you can use to evaluate the information you find on the Web:
1. Who is providing the information and how can they be contacted? What reason(s) would the creator have to provide the information (s)he does?
2. What authority and qualifications does the creator of the site have to provide the information?
3. For whom is the information intended? How well does the information fit the intended audience?
4. How well does the site cover its subject? Does the site have a scope note describing its breadth/depth of treating the subject?
5. When was the site created and when was it last updated? How often is it updated?
6. How well is the site designed? Does it have internal links along with links for downloading auxiliary software (such as Adobe Acrobat)?
7. How easy to use is the site? Is its use clearly understandable and is it easy to get to the information you are seeking?
8. How well does the site incorporate the various elements of the medium of the Internet? Does it include appropriate text, audio, video, and images and create the impression the information the site contains is well suited for presentation via the ‘Net?
Refer to the following sites for more on critically evaluating the Net:
Evaluating Web Sites: Criteria & Tools
www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/webeval.html
Evaluation of information sources (Virtual Library)
www.vuw.ac.nz/~agsmith/evaln/evaln.htm
Evaluating Web Resources
http://www.widener.edu/Tools_Resources/Libraries/Wolfgram_Memorial_Library/Evaluate_Web_Pages/Original_Web_Evaluation_Materials/6160/
Evaluating Internet Sites
www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Instruction/instmat/webeval.htm
T is for Thinking (ICYouSee)
http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think.html
Citing Electronic Sources
The style you use to cite electronic sources should be based on a specific style guide. Remember, the citation should enable another person to locate the same information.
Refer to the following for information on citing electronic sources:
Located in CUW Reference collection at REF PN171 F56 W35 1998: Walker, Janice R, & Taylor, Todd. (1998). The Columbia guide to online style. New York: Columbia University Press.
Located in CUW Reference collection at REF PN147 G44 2003: Gibaldi, Joseph. (2003). MLA handbook for writers of research papers. (6th ed.). New York: Modern Language Association of America.
Located in CUW Main collection at LB2369 T8 1996: Turabian, Kate L. (1996). A manual for writers of term papers, theses, and dissertations . (6th ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Located in CUW Reference collection at REF BF76.7 P83 2001 (also on Reserve and in CUW Main collection): American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Karla's Guide to Citation Style Guides
http://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/journalism/cite.html
Writer's Handbook Documentation Styles
www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Documentation.html
Electronic Reference Formats Recommended by the APA
www.apastyle.org/elecref.html
Sources: Their Use and Acknowledgement
www.dartmouth.edu/~sources/index.html
Citing Sources within your Paper
www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/works_cited
Plagiarism Resources
See the CUW Academic Conduct Code for a discussion of plagiarism and its sanctions.
Refer to the following for information on plagiarism:
Plagiarism
www.web-miner.com/plagiarism
Plagiarism Court: You Be the Judge
http://library2.fairfield.edu/instruction/ramona/plugin.html
Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Recognize and Avoid It
www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html
Sources: Their Use and Acknowledgement
www.dartmouth.edu/~sources/index.html
Writing Research Essays in North American Academic Institutions
www.acts.twu.ca/LBR/research_essays.htm
Please visit The Write Place Writing Center in LU202 for assistance in electronic citation format or in avoiding plagiarism, or consult a librarian with questions.
