In today's lecture Justine discussed the key components to look for when visiting websites for information. It is important to evaluate the site to see whether the information it is providing is valuable and worth looking at. Some of the things to look out for are the date of publishing, knowing why the website exits, accuracy (use of references) has the page been signed (authors name) and so on. All these things are important because the last thing we want is to use a site from which the information is not valuable or accurate to our research. Knowing what and how to look for in regards to our search topic makes the process easier whilst saving time. We need to be aware of the sites authenticity and value, some information may be appropriate for one use and not for another. This is referred to as fit -for-use, checking the appropriateness of the information within the site it-self.
Workshop Summary
Task 1: Look at the ICYouSee Critical Thinking page
http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think.html and briefly describe the information found in the website.
The site discussed the importance of knowing what exactly it is you are looking for and to understand that not everything is posted on the web and all the information you are looking for may take time to find. You need to be aware of the author's name, does it seem valid, have they given evidence of their sources and be aware that facts may not always be accurate. The way to evaluate whether the information is accurate is to visit other sources to see if the information is the same and compatible with each other. It is important to understand that anyone can post things on the net, try to look for the author and look for any links about the author, the URL should give you some idea as to what kind of site it is and is their any evidence of the authors expertise. Identify the sites purpose, who is it trying to influence? What is it that they want you to know? Is the site informative, persuasive or is it commercialised to advertise a particular idea or product? knowing this will help you to evaluate its content and authenticity. Look at the site, what are your first impressions? Does it look professional? Is the layout well organised? Are their other links and are they easy to use? Is the site interesting and easy to navigate? Be aware that sometimes documents from hand written sources can be posted or re-created on the net. Try to be aware to distinguish whether what you are reading has come from another place and if so, where? Such as a journal article, government report etc.....
Task 2: Complete the "Reliving the Sixties: a Web Site Evaluation Assignment" exercise on the ICYousee website- http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think60.thml and evaluate two websites.
Website 1: The Psychedelic Sixties
Detail and Design- Appears very colorful which is expected for a sixties site, the initial page looks very well organised and has the name of what I would assume to be an author as well as a date of publication and when the site was last modified.
Accuracy- There are a number of facts, dates and statistic's which without further research into the topic seem genuine because of the way the sentences are structured, with idea followed by fact.
Purpose- This seems to be unclear, I am honestly confused with the idea of whether the site is trying to inform a negative view on the lifestyle of the sixties or whether it is educating the reader on how awful the sixties were and the reasoning behind it. After reading through various links such as the introduction and the link on the Vietnam war, the purpose is unclear.
Authorship- On the first initial page is states: 1998 by the rector and visitors of the University of Virginia, therefore giving me the impression that if it was created by University students or staff, it may be bias.
Overall worth- I personally would not consider using the site for academic purposes without verifying some of the dates and facts that were stated.
Website 2: A Trip Through The Sixties
Detail and Design- Seems quite colorful without overdoing it; the writing on the first initial page is quite small and there are too many links, first glance is quite confusing because it is not structured very evenly or professionally.
Accuracy- The content appears to be genuine except the number of adds that pop up at the top of each page makes me think that the site is trying to inform readers in an interesting and entertaining manner, therefore it is hard to access the value of the content.
Purpose- Appears to be influencing the reader on the sixties, informing them on how fun and cool that generation was, I do not believe it was created for educational purposes.
Authorship- Under the pages found through the links it states: All content and images 1997-2006 by Hip inc. This does not seem like a genuine author and there is no link to verify whether it is a valuable source.
Overall worth- I don't consider the site a spoof, yet a site used to advertise or inform readers of the sixties in a positive manner. I wouldn't use it for academic purposes because some of the links indicate it is just a funny site. One link for example, led me to what I thought was a photo gallery of pictures from the sixties, yet it contained pictures of paradise locations and a woman pulling a funny face.
Please see screen shot below
Reading Summary not required
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