Website Evaluation Activity

Hoax? Scholarly Research? Personal Opinion?

In this activity you will practice evaluating a website to determine if it is a reliable source of information.

Pick two websites from your assigned group.  Then answer the questions on your handout to determine if the website is a reliable source.

• Group 1: Currency and Relevance
• Group 2: Authority and Accuracy
• Group 3: Purpose

After 10 minutes you will share with the class whether or not you would use this as a source in a research paper and why.

Group 1: Currency and Relevance

Pick any two sites from the list below and answer the questions regarding Currency and Relevance.  Record your answers on your assignment sheet.

• Sports Rumble
• CNN
• Mr. Cranky Rates the Movies
• Auto-by-Tel

Currency

• When was the information published
• Has information been revised or updated
• Is the information current or out-of-date on your topic
• Are the links functional

Relevance 

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question
• Who is the intended audience
• Is the information at an appropriate level & depth

Group 2: Authority and Accuracy

Pick any two sites from the list below and answer the questions regarding Authority and Accuracy.  Record your answers on your assignment sheet.

• Dihydrogen Monoxide and the Dairy Industry
• Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
• Mankato, Minnesota Home Page
• Medline PLUS 
• The True but Little Known Facts about Women and Aids, with Documentation

Authority

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor
• Are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations given
• What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source (.com, .edu, .gov., .org, .net)

Accuracy

• Where does the information come from
• Is the information supported by evidence
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge
• Are there grammar, spelling, or other typographical errors

Group 3: Purpose

Pick any two sites from the list below and answer the questions regarding Purpose.  Record your answers on your assignment sheet.

• Ladies Against Women
• Families Against Internet Censorship
• EarthSave International
• Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Examination
• The King Center: Martin Luther King Jr

Purpose

• What is the purpose of the information (teach, inform, sell, entertain, persuade)
• Do the author’s/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear
• Is the information fact, opinion, propaganda
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases

Activity and questions based upon New Mexico State University, Good, the Bad, & the Ugly activity and UCLA Evaluation Activity.