Module 5: Evaluating and Citing Sources
Evaluating Web Pages
Web Page Evaluation Checklist
Assignment #1
Citing Web Sources
Overview:
Research materials in both print and non-print formats must be evaluated for their usefulness, reliability, and appropriateness. In print resources, established criteria such as reputable publishers, peer-reviewed articles from scholarly journals, and papers from recognized authorities in a particular subject area, are often used to establish the quality of the information.
Because there are no formal standards for web page development, web page evaluation is even more critical. Latest figures estimate the number of web pages at 320+ million with an expected growth rate of over 1000 percent in the next few years. Unfortunately, it is often more difficult to evaluate information found on the web because of the increasing growth rate, lack of overall organization, and the fact that anyone can "publish" a web page. Understanding the types of web pages that are available and what kind of information to use to evaluate them will enable effective and appropriate use of web page resources.
Types of Web Pages:
Advocacy: These pages attempt to influence public opinion. Their web address frequently ends with .org (organization).
Marketing/Business: These pages are sponsored by a commercial body and are used primarily to promote or sell products. Their web address frequently ends with .com (commercial).
Informational: These pages present factual information. Educational institutions or government agencies often sponsor these pages. Their web addresses end with .edu and .gov, respectively.
News: These pages present extremely current information. Their web address often ends with .com (commercial).
Personal: These pages are published by an individual who may or may not be affiliated with a larger institution or organization. Their web address may have a variety of endings (.com, .edu, etc.), and will frequently contain a tilde (~).
Types of Web Page Addresses:
The URL or address of a web page often carries information about the source of the information. There are 5 primary domains (or address groups) for U.S. pages:
|
.edu (education) |
ranges from serious research to student pages |
|
.gov (government) |
factual information, usually reliable |
|
.org (organization) |
not-for-profit organizations, usually advocacy pages |
|
.com (commercial) |
commercial sites that usually promote or sell products |
|
.net (network) |
network providers that include both commercial and individual sites |
Criteria for Evaluation:
Author/Sponsorship: Determine the author or sponsor of the page. Look for credentials of the author and contact information, including e-mail address, phone number and postal address. From the author's credentials provided, determine if they are qualified to write this page. Look at the URL for the domain provider in the URL. Visit the home page for the site that hosts the information.
e.g. NEA, Art Forms: Literature feature article, "Hypernarrative in the Age of the Web"
Accuracy: Check the page for accurate information.
e.g. True but Little Known Facts About Women with AIDS, with Documentation
e.g. CDC National Prevention Information Network HIV/AIDS Resources
Coverage/Scope: Determine the intended audience for this page. What is the depth of coverage for the information presented? Is the purpose of this page to inform, explain, persuade, market a product, or advocate a cause?
e.g. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
e.g. Shakespeare Bookshelf
Objectivity: Determine if the material is presented without any political, ideological, cultural, religious, or institutional biases. Check for any conflicts of interest.
e.g. Greenpeace
Currency: Determine when this page was created or last revised. Determine how often the material on this page is updated. Is the material current and up-to-date? Determine if the page is complete or still "under construction." Do the hypertext links on this page send you to active web pages?
e.g. CNN
Other: Determine if the page requires any special software to use the material on the web page. Is the material only accessible via a subscription? Many web pages have usable information, but it is not freely available. This is often called "hidden information," since many web search engines cannot access these pages. Also be prepared to find pages that blend their presentation to include information, entertainment, and advertising. These pages require careful critical evaluation.
e.g. Federal Tax Forms
Address (URL) of web page being evaluated:
Author/Sponsorship
Accuracy
Coverage/Scope
Objectivity
Currency
Other
Locate 3 Web pages relevant to your topic. Use the Web Page Evaluation Checklist to determine their value as a source for an academic research paper. For all three Web pages, list the URL and then write an evaluation. Send these evaluations as an e-mail to your instructor.
Research papers and scholarly writing are identified in part by the use of documentation or the identification of sources used in support of the findings presented. These sources are identified in the text by the use of parenthetical citations, brief identifiers in parentheses, that can be found as a full reference at the end of the document in a literatured cited or bibliography section.
The style of documentation to use is usually identified by the instructor. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used for papers related to literature and language. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is used in psychology and the social sciences. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) is generally used in the humanities. Additional subject-specific styles also exist and some instructors prefer certain styles.
These three styles include examples for citing databases and Web pages. For additional assistance with citing electronic resources, try these sites:
http://infodome.sdsu.edu/research/guides/cite.shtml
http://library.uvi.edu/cites.htm
Documentation is simplified by the judicious use of electronic research. By adding documentation to an electronic working bibliography throughout the research process, the final literature cited can simply be an edited version of this file.
Last Updated: 09.25.02
Comments: Instructors
