Soapbox Or Advocacy Web Sites Are Best Used For

net.TUTOR Evaluation of Web Sites Test

01 Purpose

"Soapbox" or advocacy Web sites are best used for:

a) Finding reliable data

*b) Understanding the point of view of an organization

c) Both are correct

General Feedback:

Since advocates sometimes present statistics in a manner that suits their own purposes, these sites may not always be the best choice for factual information.

02 Purpose

Examine Guide to Australia. It is an example of an:

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a) Advocacy site

*b) Reference site

c) Commercial site

General Feedback:

This site provides much informative and educational content. The sponsoring organization, a university, is not using it to promote any issues or points of view.

02a Purpose

Examine Freedom to Read Foundation. It is an example of an:

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*a) Advocacy site

b) Reference site

c) Commercial site

General Feedback:

This is an advocacy site that promotes support for First Amendment rights (freedom of speech).

03 Authority

For the most authoritative information on Ohio income tax, go to:

a) LawLink Tax Guide

b) U.S. Internal Revenue Service site

*c) State of Ohio site

General Feedback:

The state of Ohio site is the most authoritative source for Ohio tax rules and documentation.

04 Publisher

The tilde (~) symbol preceding a directory name in a Web site address (such as indicates that it is:

*a) Located in a personal directory

b) Located on another machine

c) Neither are correct

General Feedback:

Some organizations provide personal directories where individuals can post their own Web pages. The tilde symbol is one indicator of this. These pages don't necessarily represent the viewpoint of the organization hosting them.

04a Publisher

What symbol preceding a directory name in a Web site address indicates that it is located in a personal directory?

a) The at (@) symbol

*b) The tilde (~) symbol

c) The asterisk (*) symbol

General Feedback:

Some organizations provide personal directories where individuals can post their own Web pages. The tilde symbol is one indicator of this. These pages don't necessarily represent the viewpoint of the organization hosting them.

05 Authority

Which is the BEST method for determining whether a Web site author writes with "authority" (credibility) on a topic:

a) Determine how many other sites link to the Web site in question

b) Look for a copyright symbol

*c) Examine "About the site" pages to learn more about the author's background

General Feedback:

Often we must rely on information provided by the site author to make this judgement. The fact that other sites link to a Web page is evidence that the site is considered useful, but it doesn't shed any light on the question of "authority" or credibility to speak and write on an issue. The copyright symbol tells us who "owns" the site.

05a Authority

A Web site creator writes with authority (credibility) when:

*a) They have appropriate education, training, or experience related to the site topic

b) They have obtained a copyright

c) Many other sites have made links

General Feedback:

To assess authority, look for linked biographical statements, resumes, or other background about the site author's education, training or experience. The fact that other sites link to a Web page is evidence that the site is considered useful, but it doesn't shed any light on the question of "authority" or credibility to speak and write on an issue. The copyright symbol tells us who "owns" the site.

06 Content

Which site is MORE LIKELY to provide balanced (unbiased) information on nutrition?

a) Pork Producers Nutrition Page

*b) Tufts University Nutrition Web

c) The Eat What You Want Page

General Feedback:

The Tufts University Nutrition Web is less likely to have a vested interest and more likely to present a balanced viewpoint on this topic.

07 Content

Examine Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. This edition of Bartlett's is a good source for:

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a) Finding a quote by President Clinton

*b) Searching for words and phrases in older literary works

c) Looking for quotes by famous scientists

General Feedback:

This is a reproduction of the 1901 edition of Bartlett's and includes mostly literary works. Quotes from twentieth century figures, such as Clinton, would not be included.

07a Content

Examine Simpson's Contemporary Quotations. What would NOT be included in this source?

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*a) A quote from Theodore Roosevelt

b) A quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald

c) A quote from Marilyn Monroe

General Feedback:

This source covers notable quotations between 1950-1988. Quotes from many twentieth century figures would be included, but statements by people who died before 1950 would not. There is a detailed author index for this source.

08 Currency

To check how current the information on a site is:

a) Look for "About this site" information

*b) Look for page creation or revision dates

c) Look for sites linking to that site

General Feedback:

Many Web authors provide creation or revision information; sometimes it is added automatically by the Web server software. "About this site" pages usually offer a more general overview of the content and site philosophy.

09 Recognition

To find out whether a Web site is well-regarded (recognized by others as useful):

*a) Search for sites linking to it

b) Look for information about the author

c) Find out who owns the site

General Feedback:

Search for other sites that link to a Web site, using an index such as AltaVista. This is one measure of recognition that the site provides useful information.

10 Recognition

To look for sites which link to a Web site that you are evaluating:

*a) Use a Web index, like AltaVista or Google

b) Use an offline browser

c) Use a Web directory, like Yahoo! or LookSmart

General Feedback:

AltaVista and Google are Web indexes with special search features that allow you to find sites that link to others. Recognition by other sites is one indicator of quality.

10a Recognition

To use AltaVista to look for sites which have made links to a Web site that you are evaluating:

a) Search for the site title (title: Internet Public Library)

*b) Search for the site URL as a link (link:

c) Browse the appropriate category in AltaVista's Web directory

General Feedback:

AltaVista is one Web index with special search features that allow you to find sites that link to others. Begin your search with the word link, followed by the URL of the site that you are evaluating. For finding sites that link to the Internet Public Library, search for link: