Evaluating websites

The internet is a widely used resource for finding different types of information. In some instances you may be required to search the internet for information for your assessments.  The information on the internet is not always verified as anyone can publish on the internet, therefore you need to be extra vigilant in evaluating your sources of information. (If you have used an AI source for background information, check the references are valid, and if so, include in your referencing system).

Remember to use the following criteria: 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? 

Note: For some AI Sources, there are journal articles quoted that seem to be written by experts, or in known academic journals, but when they are investigated  they are not published and are fake references. This can happen in  AI with 'fake' or 'ghost' articles where references are made up, so please check.

Is dandelion root a treatment for cancer?

The internet is full of health claims and it is difficult to determine the fact from fiction. There have been several articles published through online media websites, health blogs and website about this health claim. So we are going to look at this article published on the ‘Natural News’ website:  

The headline of this article states “Dandelion root far more effective in fighting cancer cells than chemotherapy”. The article suggests recent studies have indicated that dandelion root is a treatment for killing cancer cells. 

Take the quiz to test your knowledge, using the AACR criteria.