Week 6: Evaluation & Authentication.

LECTURE:

Today's lecture was about the evaluation and authentication of websites.
Information Quality is a multi-dimensional concept, also knows as data "fit for use".
Fit for use implies that IQ is relative and it gives IQ a context.
The context of WWW: anyone can create web content, no quality control - no control of WHO publishes information, WHY publishers publish on the web and WHAT is published.

When evaluating IQ on the web we need to consider:
* what we are measuring
* why does the information resource exist
* is the information fit-for-use

Tips:
* look at the URL: is it a personal site?
* is the domain name appropriate eg. edu, com, org, net, gov etc.
* published by an entity that makes sense eg. news source, www.nytime.com
* can you tell who wrote it
* credentials for the subject: biography link?
* is it recent

TUTORIAL:

I today's tutorial we are going to look at some strategies for evaluating information found on websites. We also need to evaluate two websites.

Strategies for evaluating information found in websites from the ICYouC Critical Thinking page:
* Who are the authors? Do they have the authority to write about this information?
* Do they give good reasons to agree or believe what they are saying? Are facts
documented?
* Authors point of view? Purpose of the site?
* Is the site up to date? When was it originally created?
* How complex is the information given and language used?
* Was it worth viewing this page? Any information unique to others?

Further Tips from the INCO 48 page:
* Check the domain name eg. com - commercial, edu - educational institution, gov -
government etc.
* WHO is the author
* WHY was it created
* WHEN was it created

Extra Tips from Good, the bad and the ugly website:
* Any sponsors of the page
* Does the information show a minimum of bias
* Any advertising on the page



Evaluation of 2 sites:

American Culture History: 1960 - 1969
* Am I in the right place: Yes, this site has good information that I need, it was worth visiting.
* Am I in doubt: No, I believe the information is accurate, there are references on the bottom of the page.

* The Author: Susan Goodwin
* Purpose of site: to help the user gain a broad understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of the 1960's.
* Web page or page found from the web: I believe this is designed for the web.

The Almost Great Society: The 1960's
* Am I in the right place: Yes, I believe this site is worth visiting, it contains heaps of valid information.
* Am I in doubt: No, the information appears true, certain rights have been listed and dated.
* The Author: Stanley K. Schultz. Professor of history.

Purpose of site: Lecture notes on civil rights and war on poverty.
Web page or page found on the web: I think this might be a page found on the net.