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Evaluating Internet Research Sources

Evaluating Internet Research Sources. Career Management 2.50 Coach Cullen’s Class. The Diversity of Information. Information is a commodity available in may flavors Like a magazine selection at the book store… Information exists on a continuum of reliability and quality

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Evaluating Internet Research Sources

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  1. Evaluating Internet Research Sources Career Management 2.50 Coach Cullen’s Class

  2. The Diversity of Information • Information is a commodity available in may flavors • Like a magazine selection at the book store… • Information exists on a continuum of reliability and quality • In large quantities • In a variety of kinds • Facts • Opinions • Stories • Interpretations • Statistics

  3. Screening Information • Pre-evaluation • Ask yourself what your looking for: Facts, Figures, Opinions… • What is the purpose of your research: New ideas, Support a position, prove a theory • Select sources likely to be reliable • This will take time • Ask the question before starting your research; “What source or what kind of source would be the most credible?” • Which sources would be fair? Objective? Lacking hidden motive?

  4. Availability of Information • How many search engines like yahoo, google, or bing are there on the internet? • Open your web browser… • Open Google • Search “LIST OF SEARCH ENGINES” • How many did you find? • Are there any surprises?

  5. The Tests of Information Quality • Reliable information is power. • “Knowledge is Power!” but only if the information is reliable • Information serves as the basis for: • Beliefs • Decisions • Choices • Understanding the world • Source evaluation is an Art and a Science: • There is no single predictor of reliability, truthfulness, or value • You must make an inference from multiple sources of data

  6. The CARS Checklist for Information Quality • The CARS Checklist is design for ease of learning and use • Credibility • Accuracy • Reasonableness • Support

  7. CARS: Credibility • Evidence of authenticity and reliability or Credibility, Believability have always been important. There are several test you can apply: • Author’s Credentials • Evidence of Control • Meta-Information • Indicators of LACK of Credibility: • Anonymity • Lack of control • Negative Meta-information

  8. CARS: Accuracy • To assure that the information is actually correct • Up to date • Factual • Detailed • Exact • Comprehensive • Timeliness • Be careful of websites with automatically updating dates

  9. CARS: Reasonableness • Fairness • Objectivity • Moderateness • Consistency • World View • Indicators of Lack of Reasonableness • Intemperate Tone of the writing • Overclaims/Sweeping Statements • Conflict of Interest

  10. CARS: Support • Source of documentation or Bibliography • Corroboration • External Consistency • Indicators of Lack of Support • Numbers without sources • No other sources present the same information

  11. The CAFÉ` Advice Challenge Adapt File Evaluate

  12. Information Source Robert Harris: Evaluating Internet Research Sources, June 2007 World Wide Web Research Tools Internet Search Tips http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm

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