Accuracy

The True but little known Facts about Women with AIDS, with documentation
At first glance, it is easy to assume the information on this site has a high level of reliability and accuracy because, after all, it is sponsored by an academic institution. However, upon closer examination, it becomes very clear that this site in nothing but a hoax and the information included is fictional. The author of the web site actually states that the site is a hoax. An uninformed viewer and a non-critical thinker, however, could easily be persuaded to believe the information included on this web site.

HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets
While it isn't clearly stated most of the information provided is based on reports, surveys, studies, and research done by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Since the web site’s purpose is to convey information about HIV/AIDS to a general audience, the research methodology isn't easily assessable. Many of the Fact Sheets do make general reference to how the stats were gathered or which report the information was taken.

Authority

Cloneaid
At first glance the well-designed web site appears to be a legitimate and authoritative site. The cloning FAQ and News sections seem to add authority to this web site. However, digging a bit beneath the surface shows that this site is not real. No where on the site is there information such as address, phone number, or email address and the history section indicates the facility is located in a foreign country where human cloning is legal, this should raise suspicion. As a sidebar, there is reference to His Holiness Raël, the founder of the company and spiritual leader of the UFO-related organization, Raelian Movement. One should ask, 'Is this really a web site to lure individuals into an extreme religious sect?'

Cloning & Genetics
This is the web site of the scholarly journal The American Journal of BioEthics, a publication from MIT Press. This fact strengthens the site’s credibility as an authoritative web site. The various issues related to cloning are links to articles or web sites. Authors for articles are clearly listed but biographical information is not always available. Links to outside resources connect to legitimate sites.

Objectivity

The Truth
The first version of this web site made it very difficult to identify who was funding the initiative and were the information was coming from. The latest version of the site make it easier to identify who is behind the “Truth” initiative, were the funding comes from, and where they are getting the facts posted on the site. The mission states that their goal is to reveal the lies and hidden practices of the tobacco companies so consumers can make an informed choice about smoking. While most of the information is clearly cited it is important to note that the money used to start this organization and campaign is from the Tobacco Settlement money, giving this campaign the financial resources to develop high level commercial ads and web site.

FORCES International
This non-profit organization clearly states its purpose and goal -- providing support and guidance for the pro-choice consumer and campaigning against irrational bans and misinformation about smoking and its links to illness and disease. It is also clearly stated that the organization is not connected with the tobacco companies and operates solely on the donations of individuals. While the site provides multiple links to articles supporting their position, most of the articles appear to be editorials or opinion pieces with very little reference to research. The research that is linked neither supports or disproves that smoking cause illness and disease.

Currency

The Onion
Being a newspaper site some of the common questions for currency don’t apply. Dates are clearly posted for the edition copy and copyright. A quick overview of the front page headlines point to articles that reflect the country’s current social and political happenings. However, it doesn't take long for the reader to discover that the stories are satirical articles and not meant to be a news report on the day’s events.

The New York Times
As with the Onion, this newspaper site clearly posts the copyright date and the edition date. In addition to this information the time the site was last updated is also posted. The articles also have the time they were pointed to the web site making it easier to identify currency of the information.

Coverage

OncoLink
The level of information on this site is extensive. The overview articles provide clearly identified sections that relate to the specific type of cancer as well as references to additional sources. The Library offers reviews of books, music, and videos, links to scholarly journals, and some access to full text articles and online books. The resources section provides several links to a variety of informational sources. Other sections include information about treatment, coping, and Ask the Experts.

BioImmune
The highlighted articles and information is brief in nature. The site does provide some additional links to various organizations such as the American Lung Cancer Association. To gain access to more in-depth information you must join as a member, while free it is somewhat inconvenient to try to access the information. It becomes clear with further investigation of the site that the main purpose of the site is to sell the company’s products such as nutritional supplements.