Here are sets of web sites. Using what you know about evaluation techniques, look at the information found at each site. As you do this, keep these basic criteria in mind: Authorship

Publishing body/type of web page

Currency

Purpose

1. The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov

1. Who is the author of the information? Who is sponsoring each site?
2. For what purpose is the information provided? (Information, entertainment, business, public service, advocacy?)
3. Have the sites included information, photos, or pages that have been altered?
4. How current is the information? Are there dates on the page?
5. Are there links to other sites? If so, where do these links take you?
6. Are there clear distinctions between entertainment, opinion, and factual information?

1. Health Information: http://www.webmd.com

Alternative Health Information: http://www.askdrweil.com

1. Who is the author of each site, and what are the author’s qualifications for establishing a health index?
2. How current is the information at each site?
3. Are there links to other sites? If so, where do these links take you?

3. Onco Link: http://oncolink.upenn.edu/causeprevent/smoking/

Smoker’s : http://www.smokers.com

1. What does each URL tell you about each web site and its publisher?
2. Who is the author of the information? Is there a way of verifying the qualifications of that author?
3. What combination of facts and opinions can be found at these sites?
4. How accurate and current is the information found at these sites?
5. What is the purpose of each web site? (Information, entertainment, advocacy, business, public service?)
6. Are there links to other pages? If so, where do these links take you?

3. For this comparison to be effective, there should be a current U.S. Space

Shuttle Mission

The Shuttle Page http://spaceflight.nasa.gov

The Skyscopes. http://skyscopes.com

4. For this comparison to be effective, there should be a current expedition to Mt. Everest

2. Who is the author of the information? Who is sponsoring each site?
3. For what purpose is the information provided? (Information, entertainment, business, advocacy, public service) If there is advertising, is it differentiated from the information on the page?
4. How current is the information? Are there dates on the page?
5. Are there links to other sites? If so, where do these links take you?

6. Compare these three baseball sites. Think about the intent of each site’s publisher.

The Baseball Archive:http://www.baseball.com

h. Movie Reviews

Evaluate these views of a current movie for authorship, publishing body,

and purpose. Take a look at the qualifications of each author.