Computer
Literacy
A District Graduation Requirement
Evaluating Internet
Resources
The WWW is easy to use, but
using it effectively is another thing altogether. Be sure to
choose the best search engine for your search. Learn the Search
Strategies. Which search engine would you choose for your
specific search and why?
Advanced
searching.
Complete
a search on your teacher approved topic. Did you find a "good
source?" Here is a checklist to help you determine if what
you have in hand is worth the time and effort to read and use it.
These questions should be asked every time you choose to use information
from any source!
1.
WHO WROTE IT? (Authority)
Who is responsible for the content of the source? Can you
determine the name of the individual, the organization that produced it?
2.
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN? (Objectivity)
The purpose of a source is very important to understand its BIAS.
Every creator has a purpose or viewpoint behind what they publish.
Print sources often state or imply the purpose or intent of the text in
the introduction or preface. The purpose of an internet source is
sometimes harder to pinpoint. Look at the address for clues, and
read the material carefully for language that gives opinion, viewpoint
or perspective. The BIAS helps us determine how to interpret the
information for our own use.
3.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN? (Currency)
Timeliness is often an important factor in the usefulness of
information. Look for copyright dates, updates, and sources
used. If the source contains references to other pieces of
information, can you discover when those were produced? You need
to look for CURRENT (within the last 3 to 4 years). For some
topics, you will need information even more current than that.
This is when databases of periodicals become valuable. Sometimes
the documents in the databases are posted before the item is on the
newsstands or in the mail!
4.
WHERE HAS THE INFORMATION BEEN PUBLISHED PREVIOUSLY? (Accuracy)
The more reliable a source the more likely it is the information
contained in it was checked and verified. If the information was
just put out without such checks, you cannot tell if it is true or
not. Be cautious. Try to find additional sources that
confirm the information.
5.
HOW IS THE INFORMATION ORGANIZED AND PRESENTED? (Content &
Organization)
Does this source give you the information you need in an ORGANIZED, well
presented manner? Does it flow logically from one point to
another? If what you get is superficial or gives only minimal data
- one or two sentences or paragraphs- then the source does not really
give you much content. Just a mention of your topic is NOT
enough!
6.
IS THIS A PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SOURCE?
By permission by Jane Sharka,
Media Specialist Naperville 203.
