Reliable+Research

=Evaluating Web Resources= (Lessons From The [|Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus])

[] ==Any website can produce a logo and look professional. You need to ask questions and search for credible information online in order to determine if the website has information that is reliable. ==

1) Who is the Author? Are they an Authority, have they published peer reviewed research, what are their qualifications, credentials, connections to subject?

2) What organization are they associated with? Can you contact them? Just because they have a link to an organization doesn't mean that organization supports the site.

3) Is the Author Bias? Bias is acceptable as long as they are being honest about their position and not hiding their bias. Are they selling something? Are they presenting a personal opinion? Are they selling a political or social position? Are they being objective?

4) Is the site current? Are there old links? Are there links that do not work? When was the site last updated? (usually near the bottom of the page)

5) Are there citations? Are the citations peer reviewed articles? What is the author's relationship to the authors of the articles cited? Is the author credible enough to present their own research?

6) Should you use only internet based sources? A small variety of sources likely means a small view of the topic. You should always seek many different types of sources. Internet, print, multi-media, etc. The more different views on the topic the larger the picture of the topic you have. If you can not find any print material on the topic reconsider the accuracy of your internet sources.

7) What type of website is it?
 * Personal** - maintained by individuals. They are often informal. Individuals can post their resumes, link to favorite sites, showcase their interests and ideas. Some personal Web sites also serve as professional sites. For example, many professors publish their syllabi, course material and, in some cases, their scholarship, on their personal Web pages. Entrepreneurs often advertise their services on "home" pages.


 * Special Interest sites** - maintained by non-profit organizations or activists dealing with special issues, such as environmental concerns, etc. They can be relatively mainstream or radical in interests and vary widely in credibility of information. Special interest sites are, by their nature, biased. When using such sources, your readers should be aware of the source's special interest.


 * Professional sites** - maintained by institutions/organizations, sometimes by individuals. They can include research, reference sources, fact sheets. Many institutions provide such services to the public. The credibility of the institution or professional credential of the individual providing the facts gives clues as to the reliability of the information. Is the site just linking to sources? If so, the credibility of the information is connected to the originating sites.


 * News and Journalistic sites** (E-zines) - which include national, international news, online newspapers, magazines, and "homegrown" Web publications. Anyone can publish his or her own "news," on the Web. What do you know about, or what can you find out about, the reputation of the periodical? Is it an electronic version of a credible print publication? As in print - just because information is published does not necessarily mean it is true. If a periodical article has an ISSN number (International Standard Serial Number), it will probably have more authority.


 * Commercial sites** - Although many legitimate businesses have Websites, some are not legitimate. Companies, with good and bad reputations, are in the business of making money and acquiring and keeping customers. They are naturally biased in favor of their own products, so watch out for inflated claims for performance and quality. Companies will not showcase their competitors' products. If you are, for example, comparing products, get impartial reviews, not company information. Many entrepreneurs use "rented" Web space to create their own Web sites to sell their services or products - buyer beware! Can you track the reputation of the company?

**Domain Names**
 (And examples of credible links, as long as you consider bias and sources) (some may be by students at the school, watch for author credibility) || .com - Commercial Sites (What are they selling?, What do they want you to think) || (Who is the author and what is the goal, is there bias?) || .net - Network Infrastructure || (What is their goal?, Are they a credible organization?, Are they bias?) || .jp - abbreviation of a country, in this case Japan ||
 * .edu - Educational Sites
 * .gov - Government Sites
 * .org - Organization Sites
 * [|http://mason.gmu.edu/~montecin/resources.htm] || [] ||  ||
 * [] || [] ||
 * [] ||  ||