AHE1107 Human Growth and Lifespan Development: Websites

A guide for the unit AHE1107

On this page

This page provides tips on using internet resources at University and a list of useful web resources for this unit.

Evaluating websites

Information from web sites can be very easy to find. Due to the nature of the web, it is very important to evaluate anything that you find before including it in an assignment or essay.

Anyone can author or publish material on a web site. No quality control process is required.

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't use information from web sites just that you need to apply evaluation criteria: 

 Authority - What type of site is it? Who authored the content? Who is the intended audience?

 Accuracy - What evidence is presented? Does the site reference other sources?

 Currency - When was the last time the site was updated? Does the information presented have a "published" date?

How to evaluate websites: website homepage mock-up [interactive]

In the space below is a mock webpage that has been created to illustrate what to look out for when evaluating sources of information found on the internet. The Evaluating information sources criteria from the previous page can also be used to evaluate information you find on the Internet.

View the alternative text version of the interactive image Evaluating websites

Credits: Website  homepage mock-up was created using Wix.com

Spotting fake newsHow to spot fake news

What is fake news?

"Fake news is made-up stuff, masterfully manipulated to look like credible journalistic reports that are easily spread online to large audiences willing to believe the fictions and spread the word." (Drobnic Holan 2016).

This poster has been created by IFLA and is based on the fact check questions suggested by the Fact Check organisation. 

Using the checklist questions

Read a news item from the links provided below or select one from your subject area. 

Drug testing of welfare recipients

Climate change myths and reality

Now use each of the Fake News spotting checks from the poster above to test out the news report.

1. Where is the article from? is it a reliable source.

2. Are there other sources for this news report. Compare what you find.

3. Who is the author. Are they qualified to write or speak about this issue?

4. Check out other links which may be embedded in the article.

5. Check for satire or joke content.

6. Do your own beliefs affect the way you read the article? Challenge yourself to read from different perspectives. 

7. Fact check through a fact checking site, library databases and librarians. 

 

Criteria for evaluating information

Inforgraphic titled 'Evaluating Criteria'. The full text of this infographic is reproduced in the section to the left of the image.

It is important that you know how to check that the information you are using to complete assessment tasks is: authoritative, accurate, current and relevant to your assessment requirements.

Evaluate information from books, journal articles or websites using each of the criteria listed below.   

Authority Accuracy Currency Relevance

Authority - who is the author or creator of the information and what are their credentials? 

  • Is the author of the information clearly stated?
  • Is the author an established expert in this field of study, have they published widely on the topic? 

  • Is the author affiliated with a University or other institution, organisation or company?

  • Is the  journal article peer-reviewed?

  • Who is the publisher and why have they published this information? 

Accuracy - is the information accurate? 

  • What evidence is included to support the author's claims? 
  • Are the facts and figures presented referenced?
  • Is a reference list or bibliography included? 

Currency - how up to date is the information? 

In some topic areas currency is more important than others for example in technology, medical and scientific disciplines the most up to date information is usually required. 

  • When was the information written or published? 
  • How often has it been updated?
  • When was it last updated?
  • If it is a book or an eBook, is this the latest edition? 
  • Is the information up to date for the topic?

Relevance - will the information be useful for your assessment task? 

  • Does the information cover my topic in sufficient depth?
  • Does the information meet the marking criteria for my assessment task?
  • Are you looking for a fact or an opinion? For example: Are you seeking a range of views on the justice system in Australia, or are you looking for an expert analysis and facts and figures about incarceration rates in Victoria?