Relevancy
For Relevancy (and Appropriateness) pretend that you are writing a research paper on a
predatory animal. You searched using the search terms “predatory animals”. Here are some
of the results. Look at the following Websites and judge them for relevancy:
1. Predatory Animals—North Dakota Badlands
Our famous predatory animals of North America wildlife models shoot, now in the Badlands of North
Dakota! Photograph cougars, wolves, bobcats, coyotes, ...
www.photosafaris.com/.../predatory-animals-badlands-photo-tour/
2. Predator Conservation Trust: Kids
Another choice for the predator is an animal who isn't concentrating on its surroundings and has drifted
away slightly from the herd, or is busy eating ...
www.predatorconservation.com/kids.htm
Questions to ask for Relevancy: 1. Am I wasting my time looking at this? 2. Does this have
anything to do with what I’m doing? 3. Am I on the right track to find what I’m looking for? 4.
Am I using the right search terms?
A. How relevant is the Web site 1? (Circle one)
Not relevant at all
A little relevant
Somewhat relevant
Very relevant
B. How relevant is the Web site 2? (Circle one)
Not relevant at all
A little relevant
Somewhat relevant
Very relevant
C. What are some search terms might you use to get the most relevant results for your project?
Appropriateness
1.
Website 1
http://www.co.douglas.or.us/legal/ani_predatoryanimals.pdf
Can you understand what is written on this Web site?
Who do you think this Web site is intended for?
Is this Web site appropriate for you?
2.
Website 2
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/animalsAtoZ/animalsAtoZ001.shtml
Can you understand what is written on this Web site?
Who do you think this Web site is intended for?
Is this Web site appropriate for you?
3.
Website 3
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/grizzly-bear.html
Can you understand what is written on this Web site?
Who do you think this Web site is intended for?
Is this Web site appropriate for you?
Detail
For Detail, Currency, Authority, and Bias, we will pretend that we are doing research on the
“Apollo Moon Missions”. The website that we will use for Detail is:
http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid-stuff/moon-landing.html
What are the details?
How are they useful?
Site maps
Navigation and scope
Page organization : titles, headlines,
and subtitles
Navigation and evidence of quality
construction
Works cited pages
Credit to information sources used
External links
Additional information sources
Internal search engine
Quick information retrieval
Interactive and graphic elements
Visual aids and interface interaction
Design appeal
Easy and pleasant to use
Details of the site:
Web site name or address: ____________________________________________________
1. Is there a site map? ____ If so, click on the link. Does the site map help you understand what the
Web site contains? ____ Is there sufficient depth of coverage for your topic on this Web site? ____
2. Are there page headings? _______ Are they helpful? _______
3. Is there a works cited section or page?
If so, name one of the works cited:
4. Are there links to other Web sites with relevant subject matter?
If so, write down one of the Web site addresses or names:
5. Does the Web site have its own search engine? _______ If so, type in one of your keywords.
Write down one of the sentences where your keyword appears.
6. Does the Web site offer interactive and graphic elements? _______ If so, how do they help you
gain information from the Web site?
Evaluate the Web site’s design or visual appeal. Does it help or hinder your use of the Web site?
Currency
Web site address: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
1. Is there a copyright date on this Web site? Yes______No_______
If so, where did you find it? _______________________________________
2. Is there any last updated information on this Web site? Yes_______No_______
If so, where did you find it? _______________________________________
3. Why do you think copyright or last updated information is important to know when using this Web
site? __________________________________________________________________________
Authority
Website: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-350/cover.html
1. Who is the author?
2. Are their credentials or affliction stated?
3. With whom is he/she (or they) affiliated?
4. Can you contact him/her or them? How? Where?
Bias
Web site name or address: http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Kids/FlatStanley/
1. Is there a web site “mission statement ”? __________ What does it say?
2. What is the domain suffix? ________ What does this tell you about the information?
3. Can you find the author of the information? ___________ Can you find the organization he or she
is affiliated with? __________ What is it?
4.Is there any advertising on the Web site? __________ Do you think the advertising influences the
information presented? __________ How so?
5. What is the organization behind the information? _________ Can you tell if the information on the
Web site is influenced by the organization? __________ How so?
6.In the Web site writing, does the author use words that make you respond emotionally?
__________ if so, give an example:
7. What is the tone of the Web site? Is it calm, angry, complaining?
8. Would you say this is a biased Web site? __________ Why or Why not?
Bias
Web site name or address: http://www.ufos-aliens.co.uk/cosmicapollo.html
1. Is there a web site “mission statement ”? __________ What does it say?
2. What is the domain suffix? ________ What does this tell you about the information?
3. Can you find the author of the information? ___________ Can you find the organization he or she
is affiliated with? __________ What is it?
4. Is there any advertising on the Web site? __________ Do you think the advertising influences the
information presented? __________ How so?
5. What is the organization behind the information? _________ Can you tell if the information on the
Web site is influenced by the organization? __________ How so?
6.In the Web site writing, does the author use words that make you respond emotionally?
__________ if so, give an example:
7. What is the tone of the Web site? Is it calm, angry, complaining?
8. Would you say this is a biased Web site? __________ Why or Why not?
http://www.apfn.org/apfn/moon.htm