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Print and Library Databases |
Internet (World Wide Web) |
| Authority |
- Is the author's name given? What experience, education, or
credentials does the author have relevant to the topic?
- Is the publisher well known or a government agency?
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- Anyone can publish anything on the Web.
- The domain name indicates the sponsor of a site:
- professional associations (.org)
- government (.gov)
- educational institution (.edu)
- commercial business (.com)
- network (often commercial) (.net)
- Is the name of a contact person, webmaster,or organization given?
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| Accuracy |
- Are sources of information clearly stated?
- Is the author affiliated with a special interest group?
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- Are sources of data given and are they reliable?
- Links to other web sites must also be checked for accuracy.
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| Objectivity |
- Does the author present varied aspects of an issue or is he
promoting a certain opinion?
- What sources are cited for the information given as facts?
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- Web pages exist for many different purposes: to advertise an
idea or product, promote an individual's views, or to entertain.
- Anybody can create a web page.
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| Timeliness |
- For some research the most current information is needed. Other
research requires that a topic be followed through time using sources
from years ago.
- Check publication date of the book in hand. Also review the
publication dates of the works cited as references.
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- A web page should give the date created or most recently updated.
- Web pages are often short lived. What you see one week may be revised
or disappear the following week. Keep a record of the date you visit a site
and include that date when you cite your sources.
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| Coverage |
- Does the information thoroughly cover the topic chosen?
- Does it add new information or merely repeat points already found?
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- Is the information at a level appropriate to your needs? Is it
too simple, technical, or general for your purposes?
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