Identifying and Evaluating Web Pages
Jan Alexander and Marsha Ann Tate of WidenerUniversity’s Wolfgram Memorial Library have identified the following types of Web Pages:
1.Advocacy - A web page sponsored by an organization attempting to influence public opinion. Advocacy web page URLs frequently end in .org which stands for “organization.”
2.Business/Marketing – A web page sponsored by a commercial enterprise (.com) that is trying to promote or sell products.
3. Informational – A web page whose purpose is to present factual information. Informational web page URLs are often sponsored by educational institutions (.edu) or government agencies (.gov).
4.News- A web page whose primary purpose is to provide extremely current information. The URL address usually ends in .com (commercial).
5.Personal – A web page published by an individual who may or may not be affiliated with a larger institution. The URL may have a variety of endings, but a tilde (~) is usually embedded somewhere in the URL.
Alexander and Tate list criteria for evaluating the quality of information on each type of
web page. Here are some of the most important criteria.
Authority. It should be clear what individual or organization is responsible for the contents of the page. You may be able to find this information at the tope of the web page or in a side bar, or it may be at the end of the web page, perhaps in a link providing copyright information. If the web page is reliable, you will not have too much trouble identifying the responsible individual or organization and verifying that it is legitimate.
Accuracy. Sources of factual information should be listed, so that you can verify them in another source.
Objectivity. Any bias or motive for presenting the information should be made clear.
Currency. You should be able to tell when the page was written and how recently it has been revised or updated.
Coverage. There should be some indication that the page is complete not still under construction.
Evaluating Web Sources
Do you believe everything you read on the Internet?
A couple of years ago, a story circulated on the Internet about KFC. According to this story, KFC can’t call itself Kentucky Fried Chicken anymore because the meat it uses comes from genetically altered poultry that cannot legally be called “chicken.” Go to and read this story.
Notice that the story sounds very serious and official. Many people believed it until the University of New Hampshire announced that they had not done the study attributed to them in the story. It turns out that the whole thing was a hoax.
How can you tell whether information you obtain on the Internet is reliable?
The objective of this exercise is to help you evaluate information you find on the Internet. In particular, it will help you identify the individual or organization responsible for the contents of a web page and the reason why it has been posted.
Step 1
Read the document titled “Identifying and Evaluating Web Pages.”
Step 2
Go to Scroll down to the very end of the page and find out what organization sponsored this site. Also look over the outline of Benefits and Controversies. Then answer questions 1-3.
Step 3
Go to Look over this site.
On the answer sheet, explain why you would expect this organization to favor genetic modification of foods.
Step 4
Go to Decide whether this site favors or oppose genetic modification of foods. Then answer questions 5 and 6.
Step 5
Go to On your answer sheet, explain why this may not be a very reliable reference site.
Step 6
On the answer sheet, name at least two things you can do to identify and evaluate the sponsor of a web site.
Evaluating Web Sources Exercise
1.The site was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.
TrueFalse
2.Some opponents of genetically modifying food are concerned about potential
human health impacts.
TrueFalse
3.The purpose of this site is
a.Advocacy
b.Business/Marketing
c.Informational
d.Personal
4.You would expect this organization to favor genetic modification of foodsbecause
______
______
5.The sponsor of this site is
a.Third World Network
b.The 1st National Conference on Life Sciences
c.The Institute of Science in Society
6.The purpose of this site is
a.Advocacy
b.Business/Marketing
c.Informational
d.Personal
7.This may not be a reliable site because
______
______
8.What are two things you can do to identify and evaluate the sponsor of a web site?
______
______
______
______
Research Paper Guidelines
Content (50 points)
The thesis must be clear and adequately supported.
The paragraphs and sections must be logically and coherently arranged.
The introduction and conclusion must be effective.
You must make judicious use of personal observations and comments.
Extent of Research (30 points)
One primary source (interview, questionnaire, or direct observation)
At least 5 secondary sources, one of which must be a print source.
Length (20 points)
Minimum of 2,500 words (6 – 8) pages double spaced, not including the Works Cited list
10 point or 12 point
1” margins
Include a word count at the bottom of the assignment.
Citations and Documentation (40 points)
Sources must be properly cited in the text using MLA style.
Credit must be given for all source material.
The Works Cited list must be in proper MLA format. (See the end of Chapter 31 for an example of how your Works Cited list should look.)
Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation (40 points)
Neatness and Professionalism (20 points)
Please use the formatting shown in the sample research paper in your textbook at the end of Chapter 31.
We will be referring frequently to Chapters 28-32 in The Bedford Guidefor College Writers, which cover the research process.
Research Paper Schedule
Research Paper Proposal due
(10 participation points)______
Tentative thesis and working bibliography
of 8 sources due (20 participation points)______
Primary and secondary research notes due
(50 participation points)______
Working outline due
(20 participation points)______
Research paper due
(100 points)______
Name ______
Research Paper Proposal
The topic I have selected is:
The question I want to answer is:
The method of primary research I will use is:
In addition to class time and resources, I will schedule the following time and access the following resources for this research:
Name:
Research Notes
Research Topic:
MLA documentation of source:
Parenthetical reference for citing the source in the text:
Your summary, paraphrases, and/or direct quotations of the source:
(Use additional pages if necessary)
Research Paper Peer Evaluation
Name of writer ______
Name of reviewer ______
1.What is the writer’s thesis? (Don’t ask the writer. You should be able to identify it in the paper.)
2.How did the writer support that thesis? What more could he or she have done?
3.What are the strengths of this paper?
4.What are some weaknesses? How can the writer correct those weaknesses?
5.Consider the introduction. Does it get your attention and make you want to read the paper? If not, look at the introduction strategies in your textbook and suggest one or two strategies that the writer might use.
6.Was the paper complete?
Name ______
Research Paper Evaluation Form
Criteria / Points Possible / Points EarnedContent
The thesis is clear and adequately supported.
The paragraphs and sections clearly flowtogether.
The introduction and conclusion are effective.
You have included appropriate personal observations and comments. / 25
Extent of Research
One primary source (interview, questionnaire, or direct observation)
At least 5 secondary sources / 15
Length
5-8 pages double-spaced, not including the Works Cited list
10 point or 12 point
1” margins / 10
Citations and Documentation
Sources are properly cited in the text using MLA style.
Credit is given for all source material.
The Works Cited list in proper MLA format. / 20
Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation / 20
Neatness and Professionalism / 10
TOTAL______