Part 3

It’s Online, but Is It on Target? Part 3

Dot-What?

Look at the site’s address. What follows the dot?

·       Dot-com is not only for businesses; anyone can use it. Dot-coms include well-known and respected companies, but also private individuals.

·       Dot-org usually indicates a non-for-profit organization. Many dot-orgs present unbiased information, but others have political agendas, focus on debatable issues instead of facts, and might not present all sides of an argument.

·       Dot-gov indicates a government website at the federal, State or local level. The federal government is a good source of statistics, and its sites are widely considered among the most reliable.

·       Dot-mil is used by sites that are part of the military.

·       Dot-edu usually indicates a university website. While its published research is generally considered very trustworthy, anyone associated with the university, whether a world-renowned scholar or a freshman, can be given space on its server. Professor sometimes put student course work up on the Web, but that doesn’t mean they’re vouching for the information’s accuracy.

Part 2

It’s Online, But Is It on Target? Part 2

Research with Attitude

Conduct your research with the attitude of a skeptic. As you examine websites for clues that they’re trustworthy, ask questions:

·       Who wrote the Web page? If you can’t identify the individual or organization responsible for the information, don’t use it.

·       What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subject?

·       Has the article passed through an editorial process designed to ensure quality and accuracy?

·       What is the website’s purpose? Look for motives – like selling products or winning votes – that could result in biased or incomplete information

·       Is the information accurate? Is it up-to-date?

·       Where did the author get this information?

Part 1

It’s Online, but Is It on Target?

Part 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/109995.html

Using the Web Wisely

Thanks to the Web, information is easy to find. However, it’s also easy to post something online. Anyone can do it.

You’ve probably used the Internet to do research for a paper, to help you decide which product to buy or to form an opinion about current events. Looking up information online is fast and convenient. But when you do online research, it’s important to find sites you can trust.

Many websites claim to have the facts, but are full of errors. Others present information in a biased way – they only give one side of an argument. How can you tell a reliable source from an unreliable one? Also, it is critical that you post online only that which is descent and appropriate, never anything pornographic, vulgar, indecent, out of taste, untruthful, or obscene. Post those things that will make a good name for you and your organization, that will promote goodwill and be of benefit to the world.