How do we know if what we found on the internet is true?
If the website hasn't been reviewed or supplied by someone you trust, you must be the detective and determine the trustworthiness and accuracy of the website.
Class examples:
- Researching treatment for multiple sclerosis
- Researching causes and treatment for acne - Neutrogena
- Researching the Civil War - Facts About
- Researching how tornadoes form: The Tornado Project
To get a copy of this evaluation form: Website Evaluation Form
Investigation Process
1. Make note of the website
Name of the website:________________________________________________________________
URL (address) of the website: http://____________________________________________________
2. Who is the author and are they qualified to provide this information?
- The author of the website is _________________________________________
- The contact information for the author is ______________________________
- The website domain is:
.com (company) .net (network of computers)
.edu (educational) .gov (government)
.org (non-profit) Other: ____________________________
- From the About Us section of the website, I learned ________________
- I can tell the author is qualified because _________________________________
3. Why was this website created?
- The purpose of this website is:
- To share information with the reader
- To provide a place for people to share ideas
- To sell something to the reader
- To entertain the reader
- A personal web page
- Other: _____________________________
- This web site:
- Is objective and factual
- Has some opinions but that doesn't affect the content
- Is biased
4. Can the information found on this website be verified by another reliable source?
- This website's content was verified by the following other reliable sources:
- One or more of the library databases:_______________________________
- Another reliable site: _________________________
- Book: ________________________________________
5. Is the website up to date?
- The website was last updated on: _________________
- The subject of the website requires that the information be current: NO/YES
6. What is the quality of the design and organization of the website?
- In my opinion this website's organization was:
- Very well organized, the links were working and it was easy to navigate with search and help screens
- Somewhat organized but I had some trouble navigating
- Poorly organized and difficult to navigate
- The advertisements on this website:
- Were not really noticeable
- Covered about 50% of the website
- Distracting and covered over 50% of the website.
- The grammar and spelling on this website:
- Were correct and with no errors
- Had some errors
- Distracting because of a lot of errors
This website created by Dotty Delafield dkd11@scasd.org librarian @Mount Nittany Middle School, State College Area School District, 656 Brandywine Drive, State College, PA 16801. Further educational use with proper attribution is encouraged. Last Updated: 18 September 2013.