1	Evaluating Web Sites Rio Hondo College Library
2	Agenda Evaluating Web sites for research Assignments Practice exercise
3	Introduction The need to evaluate Web sites: Anyone can publish Web sites No one screens or reviews Web sites Buyer (or reader) beware environment Criteria are necessary to assess Web sites
4	Why Evaluate Web Sites? TO SELECT INFORMATION THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS
5	Web Sites and “Buyer Beware” The Web is an unfiltered environment Web sites can be produced by anyone A Web site can be: Misinformation Hoaxes Scams (get rich quick) Urban myths Biased Many are not reviewed by fact checkers or editors
6	Library Materials Selected by librarians through: Reviews Knowledge of the topic Knowledge of the author Knowledge of the publisher Requests from faculty teaching courses Selected to support courses at Rio Hondo College
7	Checklist to Evaluate Web Sites Types Goals Objectivity Coverage Author Sources Accuracy Currency
8	Types Examine the content and identify the type of Web site: Entertainment Business/Marketing Reference/Informational News Advocacy Personal Page
9	Most Common Types of Web Sites Defined By Purpose .com = business/marketing, e-commerce .edu = academic, colleges/universities .gov = U.S. government produced .net = network .org = advocacy groups or informational ~ indicates personal Web page
10	Goals Are the goals of the Web site clearly stated? Example: EARTHWATCH Institute
11	Objectivity Is the Web site biased or objective? Example: Pro-Life Movement
12	Coverage Is the topic covered in depth or briefly? Are quality links to other useful sites included?
13	Author Is the author’s name or the organization’s name listed? Do authors list their professional affiliation, credentials, or degrees? If an organization is listed, is it well-known and reputable? Example: Democracy Net
14	Sources Does the Web site list where the information was obtained? Example: Internet Time Line
15	Accuracy Is the information correct, or is the information verified by an editor(s) or a fact checker (most Web sites are not)? Pew Research Center is a Web site that has editors to verify information. Verify the facts with other sources such as authoritative books, periodicals, or with an instructor or librarian.
16	Currency Are the creation date and revision dates listed? Example Terrorism subject guide from the Rio Hondo College Library Web site
17	What’s Next? Review the checklist Complete the practice exercise