Writing and Researching Tips: Evaluating Internet Sources
Continued Part
6. Domains names will let you know the kind of organization hosting the website, few commonly used domain names are;
a. “.org” means an organization, used mostly by NGOs
b. “.net” refers the network organization
c. “.com / .co” means commercial entity
d. “.edu / .ac” means educational institute
e. “gov” means a government institute
7. There are domains that indicate the countries from where the data is being originated. For example “.ca” means Canada, “.cn” indicates China, and “.hk” means Hong Kong etc.
8. Observe why the website is created, either it is purely for marketing, education and advocacy. Who are the intended visitors of the websites?
9. Check on the owner / administrator of the website for confirmation.
10. Check for the updates. It is better to see when the website is last updated. You will find the information at the bottom or on the top corners of the website. This becomes important when you are to state the current affairs and other topics that need up to date knowledge.
11. If you find the information useful, you should check it with other data available on the Internet. Most of the time you are able to do so from other sources. Question the objectivity of the information / data and try to confirm it, looking at the general trend on other related websites.
12. See if the aim of the website is to promote information and to present some data or it is for the purpose of propaganda. Is the information and data provided on the website genuine, well researched and logical.
13. Look in to the Citations/ bibliography /resources mentioned in the website. Check for the authenticity of the citations.
14. Judge the biasness of the writer or researcher. Lookout for the use of language and the degree of emotions and personal opinions presented in the website.
15. Pay attention to the logical presentation of the website or the material on the website. Has it been presented properly, arguments supported with the examples etc? Or is it too complicated for any one to read and understand?
16. As library research, see both sides of the coin, observe the arguments of both sides and then judge the information. Form your opinion when you have read the pros and cons of the topic. What has been written in the favor and what against, see for the cultural differences and religious differences.
17. Look out for the junk, hoax and pranks on the Internet. There are identical websites too, that usually are created to undermine the original website.
18. Lastly if you have any query, is there any mechanism to get in touch with the administrators or authors? Spoof websites usually do not have such feedback systems.
No matter what the information is, and how authentic it may seem, it has to be checked and analyzed for its credibility. The student has to be critical about the information to produce and genuine authentic paper at the end of the day.
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