HTML version

[Home] [Accuracy] [Authority] [Objectivity] [Currency] [Coverage] [Resources] [Worksheets] [Notes]

Evaluating Internet Sources & Sites: a tutorial

Objectivity

Any published source, print or non-print, is rarely 100% objective. The Internet has become a highly utilized arena for all types of publishing. Determining the author's point of view or bias is very important when evaluating a web site.

1. Determine what is the aim of the author or organization publishing the site.
2. What is the purpose of the web site:
   • Is it advertisement for a product or service?
   • Is it for political purposes?
   • Is it trying to sway public opinion on a social issue?
3. Do you trust the author or organization providing the information?

Choose one of these two sites to evaluate.

Can you determine the real purpose of the site?
What is it and how did you determine the purpose?

The Truth
[http://www.thetruth.com/]

FORCES International
[http://www.forces.org/index.php]

© Jennifer Sharkey (sharkeyj@purdue.edu), Assistant Professor of Library Science and Information Integration Librarian, Purdue University Libraries
This tutorial may not be altered, changed, or reproduced in any way without the permission of the author.
Created: November 1998; Posted: March 1999; Revised: 13/Dec/2004
Base URL: http://www.lib.purdue.edu/InternetEval/