Importance of Checking Sources of Information Retrieved from the Internet

A website may look professional but the content may be for the purpose of spreading misinformation.

The Internet can provide a wealth of information, but beware: Some websites are set up specifically for entertainment and humorous purposes. The Onion, for example, is known to spoof the news and run bogus articles. Additionally, some websites may have been created specifically for the purpose of spreading extremist views or opinions. It can be tricky to determine if a website is legitimate, but this can be done by reading a site's "About Us" page or checking other sources of information to back up a website's information.

Trustworthiness

If you are someone who others rely on for accurate information, then you will want to make sure you keep that trust. If you end up sharing information retrieved from the Internet that turns out to be false, it can hurt your credibility. Make an effort to ensure you have information from reliable sources so that you can share this information with others who will expect it to be accurate.

Shared Knowledge

That paper or thesis you write can have a second life someday. It can serve as a presentation at a conference or be published in a trade journal. Additionally, a student looking up information for their own paper may quote from your paper should it be published on the Internet.

Scholarly Standards

Many course instructors at schools and universities keep a blacklist of websites that are unacceptable for research. The websites they deem unacceptable sources of information are usually ones which anyone can post information to or sites that contain outdated information. These instructors will go through your references and bibliographies to ensure you have cited information from legitimate sources.

Ulterior Motives

Extremist groups and organizations often post misinformation on the web. They spread their biased opinions on sites that seem otherwise credible. Don't be fooled. Check and double-check the authority behind the content by looking for books and journal articles supporting what the websites state. If you rely on these sites for information, you will only be pushing their mission to misinform and delude the public.

Timeliness

Relying on a book about the life of John F. Kennedy published in 1955 would do little to capture the full scope of his accomplishments. Likewise, a website that was last updated several years ago cannot be trusted for accurate and current information. There's a good chance readers of your work will be informed on recent developments concerning your topic, and if they see you have included outdated information, or if you have failed to include the most recent news about your topic, it can make your paper look incomplete. Check the year of the information posted online, if it is available, or look for when the website was last updated.

References

• Teacher Tap: Evaluating Internet Resources
• Media Awareness Network; Evaluating Internet-Based Information: A Goals-Based Approach; David Warlick
• University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign; An Educator's Guide to Credibility and Web Evaluation; Heidi Adreon, et al.; 2002
• Technology Integration for Teachers: Students Need the Internet
• Georgetown University Library: Evaluating Internet Resources