Literature Evaluation (Program Planning)

Evaluating Articles on the Internet

RUBRICS

Answer the following questions about the journal article on the Internet or available online through the library with at least two full sentences: (see explanations below)

NAME_____________________________________________________________

1. Source

2. Reason

3. Date

4. Compare to other sites

5. Propaganda or bias

6. Good common sense

Quick Tips for Evaluating Articles on the Internet

When evaluating articles on the Internet, remember that there is an incredible amount of information out there with no regulation. To determine if something is accurate or inaccurate can be confusing. Here are some tips to help you determine if the information is genuine or fraudulent.

1. Check out the source or authority of the information. Government agencies, reputable universities, and major organizations like the American Cancer Society are clues to accuracy. If necessary, verify the source.

2. Check out the reason for the web posting. If it is advertising something, chances are it is slanted. Even some non-profit organizations may not be credible. Scan the material first to get a good idea of what is in it before you take the time to read it. It may or may not be a waste of your time.

3. Check out the date it was posted or published for determining whether or not the information is current. A good rule of thumb for determining currency is if it was published within the past five years. Remember that medical and other health information can change daily. Historical information may not change and older sources could be reliable.

4. Compare different sites to see if there is consistency among them. Pay attention to content and details for coverage. Credible references and other links are a clue as to the accuracy of the information.

5. Beware of propaganda materials and those with only one viewpoint. Bias without a back up of reputable sources is a good indication that it is only an opinion.

6. Use you own good common sense. If it seems off base, it probably is inaccurate information. Remember, if you don’t feel that a site is authentic then go to another site, because there are many worthwhile sties to view.