Evaluating Online Sources
Everyone can post information on the internet and some of the things that are said could be true but, some of them could be false. Which is why it's very important to evaluate online sources. There are many things you have to look out for when evaluating an online source, for example you can look at the author and depending on what his/her profession is or what authority he/she has over the subject he/she can be found credible and their there's a less chance the information in invalid. You can also check for these 6 components:
This is an example of a valid website: https://www.ushmm.org/
This website follows almost all of the 6 components used to evaluate online sources, for example this website is run by a museum that is dedicated to explain the history of the holocaust. It also upgrades and it adds information almost everyday providing us with new information diary. The information is also valid and there is no personal bias.
This is is an example of an invalid website: http://allaboutexplorers.com/
This website is invalid because, the authors are not professionals so, they do not have any authority over this topic, some of the information different from other websites which shows that some information is false. This website wasn't upgraded in a while which tells us that the information is old and that it wasn't been upgraded. The website doesn't follow many components used to evaluate online sources which makes it invalid.
- Authority- The author most have authority over the subject, know if they have any experience or knowledge about the topic
- Accuracy- Make sure all information is valid, you can do that by checking other websites.
- Objectivity- Must not have many personal pronouns. Everything should be facts and not personal opinion.
- Relevancy- The information must stay on topic.
- Currency- The page should have been upgraded recently.
- Coverage- Make sure it covers a good position of the topic.
This is an example of a valid website: https://www.ushmm.org/
This website follows almost all of the 6 components used to evaluate online sources, for example this website is run by a museum that is dedicated to explain the history of the holocaust. It also upgrades and it adds information almost everyday providing us with new information diary. The information is also valid and there is no personal bias.
This is is an example of an invalid website: http://allaboutexplorers.com/
This website is invalid because, the authors are not professionals so, they do not have any authority over this topic, some of the information different from other websites which shows that some information is false. This website wasn't upgraded in a while which tells us that the information is old and that it wasn't been upgraded. The website doesn't follow many components used to evaluate online sources which makes it invalid.