Evaluating Internet Sources

As writers begin to gather sources of support, or research, they should be aware that not all sources or published information will strengthen their argument. In fact, depending on the source, some information can be detrimental to the writer's own credibility and authenticity. Sources can be especially dangerous when they originate from the Internet. The Internet can be a valuable tool to writers; however, it is a tool that must be used properly and constantly evaluated.

While the Internet can provide easy access to a plethora of good information, it is important to remember that anyone with Internet access can put things on the web. This may be great for free speech, but it means writers seeking evidence to support an argument or claim must practice good judgment in deciding which information is best for a source of support.

By its name, a website may sound official. The site may even have official looking text and pictures. However, after examining the site and determining who supports and produces the site, writers may find that the content is questionable. Some questions to consider when evaluating websites are

• Do the groups or individuals responsible for these sites have any reason to be biased?
• Is there evidence that the groups or individuals responsible for these sites are authorities on the subject?
• Though the facts seem sound, is the information qualified for a paper needing reliability to support the validity of a thesis statement?
• Is there any evidence on the site of unprofessionalism or unreliability: spelling and grammar errors, colloquial language, obvious bias, errors of fact, and so on?

When evaluating websites for authenticity, validity, and credibility, writers should investigate who produces the site by going to the homepage or choosing the "About Us" option. Writers should remember that official looking information is not always as it appears. Some good-looking information may hide sinister intent. Also, writers should be wary of "fact" based sites and should uncover the source of those "facts" and check out the background of the "expert" behind the site. In order to write a credible, sound paper, the writer should seek sources of evidence to support her argument from the most credible sites possible.

The following resources provide helps in evaluating Internet resources:

• Evaluating Internet Sources (Jennifer Duncan)
• Evaluating Websites (ISU)
• The QUality Information ChecKlist (QUICK)
• Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask (UC Berkeley)

The following resources offer tips in searching the Internet:

• GoogleGuide
• Using the Advanced Search in Google (Atomic Learning)
• Using Google Scholar (THWT) [requires QuickTime]
• Bare Bones 101: A Basic Tutorial on Searching the Web
• Internet Detective

ENGL1010 Composition I