Essential Questions: How can I determine if a website is legitimate or not?
Mastery Objectives:
Learn how to evaluate websites using criteria.
Learn how to setup a table in Excel.
Directions: Below is a list of criteria for evaluating websites. Use Google Spreadsheets and create a table (see below) to evaluate the list of websites below (click on the topic to go to the website). Use the criteria to decide whether a website is legitimate or not. Don't just use the topic.
Students need to learn to evaluate the quality of information they find on the web as well as other information resources such as books, magazines, CD-ROM, and television. Ask students to be skeptical of everything they find. Encourage them to compare and contrast different information resources. Consider the following ideas:
CRAP Test
Currency. Is the information current? Consider the currency and timeliness of the information.
Does the page provide information about timeliness such as specific dates of information?
Does currency of information matter with your particular topic?
How current are the sources or links?
Was it published in the last __ years or around the time of an original event?
Is the information well-organized including a table of contents, index, menu, and other easy-to-follow tools for navigation?
Is the information presented in a way that is easy to use (i.e., fonts, graphics, headings)?
Is the information quick to access?
Relevance. Is the information helpful? Think about whether you need this information.
Does the information contain the breadth and depth needed?
Is the information written in a form that is useable (i.e. reading level, technical level)?
Is the information in a form that is useful such as words, pictures, charts, sounds, or video?
Do the facts contribute something new or add to your knowledge of the subject?
Will this information be useful to your project?
Is it a primary or secondary source?
How much of the information applies to your topic?
Is the information general or detailed, balanced or biased?
Are the sources truth worthy? How do you know?
Who is sponsoring this publication?
Does the information come from a school, business, or company site?
What's the purpose of the information resource: to inform, instruct, persuade, sell? Does this matter?
What's their motive?
Authority. Who says? Know the author.
Who created this information and why?
Do you recognize this author or their work?
What knowledge or skills do they have in the area?
Is he or she stating fact or opinion?
What else has this author written?
Does the author acknowledge other viewpoints and theories?
Was it a single person or several people?
Was it a corporation or organization?
Are their credentials provided?
Are methods/references provided?
Was it peer-reviewed?
Purpose. Is the information biased? Think about perspective.
Is the information objective or subjective?
Is it full of fact or opinion?
Does it reflect bias? How?
How does the sponsorship impact the perspective of the information?
Are a balance of perspectives represented?
Could the information be meant as humorous, a parody, or satire?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information intended to inform, persuade, sell, entertain, …?
Is this a first-hand account of an event or research?
Does the author have a vested interest in the topic?
Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aem3JahbXfk