Evaluating Internet Sites
Primary Source:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html
Finding Sources
is Like Finding the Red M&M
• Tear a very small opening in the corner of your M&M package –
just enough to squeeze out an M&M.
• Squeeze out JUST ONE M&M – is it red?
If so, you’ve found a source which is both reliable, and contains
the information you need!
If not, set it aside … you won’t be able to use it – so try again.
• We need FIVE RED M&Ms, so squeeze out ONE MORE M&M
– is it red?
Continue searching, one M&M at a time, until FIVE red M&Ms
have been found … how many M&Ms did you have to go
through to find three reds?
What can the URL tell you?
• What is the domain type? .gov, .mil, .edu., org. .us/.uk/.de?
--Country codes no longer tightly controlled.
--.org no longer just for not-for-profits
• Who is the sponsor/publisher of the page? Is there a publisher??
-- Generally found between http:// and the first / … lib.berkeley.edu (UC Berkeley Library)
e.g. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html
-- Reputable publications will have a copyright or permission to reproduce,
usually at the bottom of the page.
• No publisher? Is it somebody’s personal page?
--No publisher domain  what are the author’s credentials?
e.g. http://www.jfk-assassination.com/
Ralph Schuster: 38 years old; IT Manager in Frankfurt, Germany
Scan the Page
for More Information
Look for “About Us,” “Background,” etc.
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/About.html
http://www.jfk-assassination.com/about.php
Can’t find anything? Shorten the URL:
Delete the characters stopping before each / (leave the slash)
e.g. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html 
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/
• Who Wrote the Page?
--Who is responsible for the page? A Person? Organization? Agency? Institution?
• What are the author’s credentials?
--Is the page written by a self-proclaimed expert, or does (s)he have credentials?
--Is it an extreme view, possibly distorted or exaggerated?
• When was it written? Is it current?
Look for Indicators of Quality
• Look for footnotes
--In scholarly or research work, the author will cite the sources she uses in her work.
If sources aren’t cited, it’s likely not reliable – and may just be an opinion!
--Where did the author get his information? Scholarly journals? Books?
Or, websites with no publisher who edits the page or checks references?
• Look for “related links,” or “additional sites”
--If the link doesn’t work, it doesn’t strengthen the credibility.
Anyone can create a website – reputable organizations will maintain them.
--Do the links contain information with opposing viewpoints or are they all biased?
Always look for bias!
-- Are they simply links within the site?
A Few, Final Questions to Ask …
• WHY was the page put on the web?
-- To inform or explain --or to persuade?
-- To share – or to sell, or entice?
-- Was it meant to be funny, or a parody?
-- Could it be a joke, or a hoax?
• Are YOU being objective?
-- Are you looking at sources that only support what you want to prove?
Reliable,
or NOT?
http://city-mankato.us
Google “Mankato MN:
http://www.mankato-mn.gov/
Unreliable!
Mankato.us (click on link on Mankato pg)
• Hijacked by Sheikh Yarbouti
• Incorrect information
 Not 165 degree water
 Not 70 degrees in winter
• Not updated recently
• Google “Mankato MN– real website for city is http:www.makato-mn.gov
Reliable,
or NOT?
http://www.dhmo.
org/facts.html
Unreliable!
DHMO (click link on DHMO page)
•
•
•
•
Has a .org url, but not reliable
Would a US Dept have a store?
The US Environmental Assessment Center does not exist.
If you break down the "substance" into simpler terms, DHMO is water
– Repeated reference to DHMO being a COMPONENT of other substances: atomic
component p.1, causative component p.3., component of acid rain p.3, etc; used as a solvent
and coolant, by elite athletes, spray on fired retardant, etc. p.4. … and on an on.
Reliable,
or NOT?
http://www.molossia.org/countryeng.html
Unreliable!
Molossia.org (click on link on Molossia pg)
• Domain type: .org
• Publisher/Sponsor: Republic of Molossia
--226 Mary Lane?? (Dayton, NV)
• Why was it put on the web? A hoax??
--No, its likely in the name of fun family
located in Nevada, with an enclave in California
Exercise #1
Do a search on Morgellon's Disease.
a. Write the bibliographic information for ONE of the sources that you feel
is credible and explain why.
b. Write the bibliographic information for ONE of the sources that you feel
is not credible and explain why.
For both a & b cite specific criteria from either the Powerpoint or the
UCBerkeley link on evaluating sources. Be specific.
Exercise #2
1. Log on to the Journal of Historical Review website:
http://www.ihr.org/main/journal.shtml
2. Using the site’s google search, type in Holocaust
3. Click on “A Brief Introduction to Holocaust Revisionism”
a. What is the name of the journal?
b. Who is the sponsor of the site?
c. Cite the article as a source in MLA format
4. Briefly summarize the author’s position on the Holocaust
a. Who is the author of the article?
b. What are the author’s credentials?
c. What sources does the author cite?
d. What else can you find out about either the author or the site?
6. Determine if this is a Reliable Source
Cite specific criteria from either this Powerpoint or the UC Berkeley link on
evaluating sources. BE SPECIFIC.