LibGuides: ENG 1061/1070 English Composition/Effective Speaking: Evaluating websites

Article on evaluating internet sources

Evaluating Internet Research Sources

by Robert Harris

Summary of The CARS Checklist for Research Source Evaluation

from "Evaluating Internet Research Sources" by Robert Harris

Credibility	trustworthy source, author’s credentials, evidence of quality control, known or respected authority, organizational support. Goal: an authoritative source, a source that supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it.
Accuracy	up to date, factual, detailed, exact, comprehensive, audience and purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy. Goal: a source that is correct today (not yesterday), a source that gives the whole truth.
Reasonableness	fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest, absence of fallacies or slanted tone. Goal: a source that engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably, concerned with the truth.
Support	listed sources, contact information, available corroboration, claims supported, documentation supplied. Goal: a source that provides convincing evidence for the claims made, a source you can triangulate (find at least two other sources that support it).

For college assignments, ask yourself: Is it academic? (written and published by academics, cites sources)

From "Evaluating Internet Research Sources" by Robert Harris
Adopting a Skeptical (or Cautious) Attitude

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"You might have heard of the term information warfare, the use of information as a weapon. Now, as I just said above, there is a lot of high quality information available through the Internet. Unfortunately, however, there is also a large amount of misinformation (honest people mistakenly spreading false information), together with the information warfare ammunition: disinformation (dishonest people knowingly spreading false information), half truths, distortions, urban legends, fallacies, exaggerations, "fake news," and just plain old lies. So you need to adopt a skeptical--or at least a cautious--attitude toward all knowledge claims. You don't have to believe everything you read, hear, or see. (Nor do you have to become completely cynical and disbelieve everything.) Just be very cautious. Instead of putting each knowledge claim into your "accept" or "reject" pile, put it in a "this is claimed, but I neither accept nor reject it right now" pile. Seek confirmation and disconfirmation from other sources and your own thinking. Remember that a Web site that makes up facts, quotes people who don't exist, and cites imaginary sources could look just as professional and slick as a highly reliable and credible site. Don't be deceived by appearances. Develop your critical thinking skills."

Website evaluation exercises

Website evaluation practice

Which websites would be preferable to use for research for college assignments? What factors help you decide? Consider the CARS checklist and whether the site is academic.

Exercise 1

https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/interpretation/amendment-ii/interps/99

https://www.nraila.org/second-amendment/

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/second_amendment

https://www.saf.org/

Exercise 2

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/nosb/papers/2001/Gastineau-figs.html

http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/cruiseships.html

https://cruising.org/about-the-industry/policy-priorities/cruise-industry-policies/environmental-protection

http://www.eoearth.org/files/169101_169200/169169/rl32450.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/vessels-marinas-and-ports/cruise-ship-discharges-and-studies

Exercise 3

Life Challenges: Obesity
http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/obesity-help.htm

Center for Consumer Freedom
https://www.consumerfreedom.com/2014/07/study-lack-of-exercise-not-food-to-blame-for-obesity

Overweight and Obesity
http://www.cdc.gov/Obesity/

World Obesity
http://www.worldobesity.org/

Exercise 4

Center for Consumer Freedom
http://www.consumerfreedom.com

For Consumers from the FDA
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/

Exercise 5

Factcheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org

JustFacts.com
http://www.justfacts.com

Ideology and quality mapped

Media Bias Chart

Attorney Vanessa Otero created this chart placing news outlets along a continuum of fact vs. opinion and a continuum of partisan bias. Click on the image to enlarge and enable zooming in. Also see a newer interactive version of this chart.

More from Robert Harris

Take your information to the Café (Challenge, Adapt, File, Evaluate).

also from "Evaluating Internet Research Sources" by Robert Harris

Challenge	Challenge information and demand accountability. Stand right up to the information and ask questions. Who says so? Why do they say so? Why was this information created? Why should I believe it? Why should I trust this source? How is it known to be true? Is it the whole truth? Is the argument reasonable? Who supports it?
Adapt	Adapt your skepticism and requirements for quality to fit the importance of the information and what is being claimed. Require more credibility and evidence for stronger claims. You are right to be a little skeptical of dramatic information or information that conflicts with commonly accepted ideas. The new information may be true, but you should require a robust amount of evidence from highly credible sources.
File	File new information in your mind rather than immediately believing or disbelieving it. Avoid premature closure. Do not jump to a conclusion or come to a decision too quickly. It is fine simply to remember that someone claims XYZ to be the case. You need not worry about believing or disbelieving the claim right away. Wait until more information comes in, you have time to think about the issue, and you gain more general knowledge.
Evaluate	Evaluate and re-evaluate regularly. New information or changing circumstances will affect the accuracy and hence your evaluation of previous information. Recognize the dynamic, fluid nature of information. The saying, "Change is the only constant," applies to much information, especially in technology, science, medicine, and business.

Left vs. Right

Beware of CRAAP on the Internet

Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test from Cal State Chico. Printable handout.

Use the CRAAP test (brief version):
* Currency: The timeliness of the information.
* Relevance: The appropriateness of the information for your needs.
* Authority: The source of the information, the credibility of the providers of the information.
* Accuracy: The reliability and veracity of the content.
* Purpose: The reason the information is published.

Handout on website evaluation

Print out PDF handout on website evaluation

CRAAP test handout