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Consider
the Source: A Student Guide to
Internet offers wonderful research opportunities but its users often fail to realize its significant constraints. Since virtually anyone can put information on Internet, normal publishing procedures that include rigorous screening and editing processes are usually bypassed. It is imperative that users critically examine any potential source, especially for use in any academic application. The following questions are meant to help users discern the accuracy, validity, and credibility of sources found on Internet. These questions apply to print sources as well.
What does the address of this site reveal? Does it indicate a commercial, academic, governmental or not-for-profit affiliation?
Who wrote this article? What are his or her credentials? Is he or she affiliated with a government agency, an academic institution, private industry? Is he or she a known expert on this topic?
What seems to be the author's main point? That is, what argument does the author make or what conclusions does the author draw?
What kind of evidence does the author rely on to make his or her points (examples, original research, surveys, statistics, expert opinions, etc.)? How specific and valid is this evidence? Is the author's conclusion(s) based on sound and reasoned argument?
Do you detect a bias on the part of this author?
What appears to be the agenda of this piece? To persuade? To instruct? To provoke thought on an issue? To inform? To entertain? To sell a product or a service?
Who might be typical readers of this information? To discover this, consider the kinds of topics covered by this site, the kinds of language used, and the kinds of advertising (if any).
Does the author of this information target any particular group of readers? If so, which group(s)
What other sources (print or non-print) are available on this topic?
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