REMEMBER: Always use the VERY BEST information you can find for your research. The VERY BEST is not always the first thing you will find.

NOTE: The link to your assignment on Moodle is at the bottom of this page

Use these handy steps to decide BEFORE you take notes:

Step 1: RESPONSIBILITY

Who is responsible for the site?

• If you can't find an author of the site or information about the organization that sponsors the site, it is not trustworthy.
• Look for authorship information in links called "About Us" or "Contact" if you can't find it on the home page.
• Does the author or organization have expertise in the subject? If you can't find out or aren't sure...find another source!

When in doubt, throw it out.

Step 2: PUBLICATION DATE

When was the information last updated, pubished or copyrighted?

• Many good sites have a "last updated" or copyright date at the bottom of a main page or the "About Us" page.
• Though this isn't important for every subject you are researching, it becomes extremely important when you are researching science, technology or current events (such as politics).
• Also, sites that say they contain directories of other web resources should be updated frequently. The links they list can become inactive or can contain information they don't think is useful anymore.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Step 3: BIAS and ACCURACY

Is the organization or author biased? Are they trying to sell you an idea, opinion or product?

• Remember, anyone can post information on a web site. They can make it look authoritative, even if it isn't and they can say whatever they want whether it is true or not.
• Always check your facts with other resources.
• There are some sites out there that are purposely designed to fool students. Their information is inaccurate at best and extremely biased at worst.
• Also, be sure to get a balanced view. If someone who is posting a web site has a very strong opinion about a particular subject, try to find another opinion and check your facts.
• Remember: don't take notes on resources where the author or organization publishing the information is unknown.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Step 4: USEFULLNESS

Is the site helpful? Is it organized?

• Can you locate the information that you need easily?
• Would you recommend the site to someone else?

When in doubt, throw it out.

A Really Misleading, Inaccurate and downright Biased Web Site :

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A True Historical Examination

Do you know of any other sites that might be misleading, purposefully wrong or biased?

Class Activity:

Directions:

Go to the MS LIBRARY MOODLE and follow the directions on the "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" discussion forum. (If you need to enroll in the MS Library Moodle, the enrollement key is: books