Biotechnology Applications

Page 1 of 2 Contemporary Applications of the Sciences ©2011 Argosy University Online Programs

Checklist: Using the CARS Checklist to Evaluate Web Sites

A Web site that is credible, accurate, reasonable, and supported (CARS) should meet the following criteria.

Credibility

The source is trustworthy; you would consider a print version to be authoritative (for example, an online edition of a respected newspaper or major news magazine).

The argument and use of evidence are clear and logical.

The author’s or sponsor’s credentials are available (visit the home page and look for a link that says “About Us”).

Quality control is evident (spelling and grammar are correct; links are functional).

The source is a known or respected authority; it has organizational support (such as a university, a research institution, or a major news publication).

Accuracy

The site is updated frequently, if not daily (and includes “last-updated” information).

The site is factual, not speculative, and provides evidence for its assertions.

The site is detailed; text appears in full paragraphs.

The site is comprehensive, including archives, links, and additional resources. A search feature and table of contents or tabs allow users to quickly find the information they need.

The site’s purpose includes completeness and accuracy.

Reasonableness

The site is fair, balanced, and objective. (Look at comments on a blog or related messages on a news group.)

The site makes its purpose clear (is it selling something? prompting site visitors to sign a petition? promoting a new film?).

The site contains no conflicts of interest.

The site content does not include fallacies or a slanted tone (for more on fallacies, see Chapter 10: Arguments, pp. 188–91).

Support

The site lists sources for its information, providing links where appropriate.

The site clarifies which content it is responsible for and which links are created by unrelated authors or sponsors.

The site provides contact information for its authors and/or sponsors.

Page 2 of 2 Contemporary Applications of the Sciences ©2011 Argosy University Online Programs

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Checklist: Using the CARS Checklist to Evaluate Web Sites

If the site is an academic resource, it follows the conventions of a specific citation style (for example, MLA, APA).

Reference:

Maimon, E., Peritz. H. J., & Yancey, K.B. (2009). The new McGraw-hill handbook MLA/APA/CSE update.

New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.