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The uncontrolled nature of the Internet makes it is possible for
anybody to make any information available. This means that we need be equipped with
information and skills which enable us to critically evaluate the material we find.
The Internet presents a greater need for such evaluative skills than
structured databases such as Medline, ABI Inform and Psyclit to name a few.
- Key questions to consider when evaluating World Wide Web
resources:
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Currency
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Authority
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- Is the content appropriate for your purposes?
Is the document a result of scholarly discussion or research?
Does the document contain advertising or sales material?
- Who is the target audience for the material contained?
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- When was the document created? When was it last updated or revised?
- Does the document contain any "dead" links?
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- Who is the author of the document?
What is their authority or expertise? Can
this be verified and are their qualifications documented?
Is the document signed?
Is contact information for the author displayed on the document?
- Who publishes or maintains the Web site on which it is located?
Is the site sponsored by an individual, organisation,
education institution or a business?
The domain name will often provide clues in this area.
Does the nature of the publisher or sponsor compromise the objectivity of the
material presented?
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