High School Visits to Fondren Library: Searching/Evaluating Websites
Online Research Tricks
Article on evaluating internet sources
Evaluating Internet Research Sources
by Robert Harris
Summary of The CARS Checklist for Research Source Evaluation
from "Evaluating Internet Research Sources" by Robert Harris
Credibility trustworthy source, author’s credentials, evidence of quality control, known or respected authority, organizational support. Goal: an authoritative source, a source that supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it
Accuracy up to date, factual, detailed, exact, comprehensive, audience and purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy. Goal: a source that is correct today (not yesterday), a source that gives the whole truth.
Reasonableness fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest, absence of fallacies or slanted tone. Goal: a source that engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably, concerned with the truth
Support listed sources, contact information, available corroboration, claims supported, documentation supplied. Goal: a source that provides convincing evidence for the claims made, a source you can triangulate (find at least two other sources that support it).
Searching on Google Scholar
Google Scholar is a simple web search engine for students to broadly search for scholarly literature.
Check out this video for a brief introduction to Google Scholar.
For more detailed instructions on how to use Google Scholar watch the tutorial below.
Website Evaluation Exercises
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Some exercises for practicing website evaluation skills Tip: Look for an "About Us" page or equivalent |
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Exercise 1 Compare these websites. Which are more credible and possibly helpful for a research project? Why? What factors help you decide?
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Exercise 2 Which of these would be most useful for learning about the threats to sea turtles? Consider if the information is substantial and what the purpose of the website is. |
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Evaluating Information and resources
- The CRAAP testThe CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help
you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.