qjakal
06-26-2004, 09:00 PM
Online Sources
Anyone with a computer and modem can become an electronic publisher on the Internet, disseminating information to a global audience. While this new medium explodes with information, it also poses a problem: How do you evaluate the quality and accuracy of the information on a website? Just because a document appears online doesn't mean it contains valid information. In fact online information demands close scrutiny.
The publishing world has a long tradition of journalistic standards to which print materials are held. Although many writers and publishers adhere to these standards when publishing on the Web, many don't. It's up to you to cast a critical eye, sorting fact from fiction, actuality from opinion. Whether you are reading a printed article or an electronic one, a healthy dose of skepticism is in order.
Why is this important? The Internet is full of all sorts of information, but unless you can be reasonably sure of its source and accuracy, be wary. One example that made international headlines involved Pierre Salinger, a former correspondent for ABC News. He claimed to have information that TWA Flight 800, which crashed after takeoff from New York's Kennedy airport, was shot down by a U.S. Navy missile. In fact he obtained his information from a posting on an Internet newsgroup.
Although the document contained great technical detail, there was no hard evidence to back up the allegation. In fact, this "information" had been circulating on the Net for months before Salinger "discovered" it. He made the mistake of accepting gossip as truth, which proved to be professionally embarrassing.
While embarrassment on the TMF is rarely fatal, more serious consequences can result from following medical or legal advice posted in newsgroups or on websites. While someone may be well-meaning in offering the information, can you trust it? Is this person a doctor, a lawyer or just an opinionated individual? Is the website affiliated with a reputable professional organization, or some fringe group?
To help members evaluate information critically, we offer some guidelines:
Who is the author?
The first test involves authorship. Have you heard of the writer before? What is the reputation of the writer? Is he or she an acknowledged expert in this particular subject area? An article about the broadcasting industry written by Walter Cronkite will carry more credence than one by a rookie newscaster. Most professional publications, including newspapers, magazines and trade journals credit the writer. Is there biographical information about this person? Is there a way to contact the writer (a phone number, mailing address or e-mail address) should you want additional information? Information presented anonymously should arouse suspicion.
On a more technical level, how well written is the article? Is it grammatically correct? Are there spelling errors? This may sound trivial, but it does give some indication whether the writer is a professional or an amateur.
Who is the publisher?
Since some articles on the Web may not attribute the writer, the next criterion to evaluate is the publisher of the website. Is this an organization you've heard of before? Does it have a presence in the real world, such as The Globe and Mail or The New York Times and CNN? To assure accuracy, reputable publishers fact-check articles. Professional journals usually require peer review of articles.
Many publications, however, just exist electronically. If this is the case, what can you find out about the publisher? What qualifies it to write about the subject? Does it have expertise in this area? This leads to the next criterion.
What is the point of view?
Rarely is information completely neutral; usually there's a point of view, maybe even a hidden agenda. Because it's so easy to publish on the Internet, opinions abound. Always consider the source of the information. For instance, articles you find on a corporate website most likely promote the interests of the company and its products. Regard these as advertisements, not objective analysis. Likewise, information on a political website promotes the interests of the party and its candidates. Don't expect opponents to be treated fairly.
Are there references to other sources?
Does the author cite other sources of information in the article? Are these sources reputable ones? Can you go to these sources to verify the information? Answers to these questions will help you decide on the reliability of the document in question.
How current is the information?
Finally, online documents should include the date when they were written or when they were last updated. It's important to know the timeliness of the information, because newer, more relevant information may exist elsewhere.
As moderators on the TMF we attempt to evaluate these factors when examining posts, and at times have made judgements based upon the criteria above. This is the essence of the task and should not be taken personally. Information is the basis for discussion.
Please make an honest attempt to bring only accredited, reputable websites to the Forums.
Thank you,
Q
Anyone with a computer and modem can become an electronic publisher on the Internet, disseminating information to a global audience. While this new medium explodes with information, it also poses a problem: How do you evaluate the quality and accuracy of the information on a website? Just because a document appears online doesn't mean it contains valid information. In fact online information demands close scrutiny.
The publishing world has a long tradition of journalistic standards to which print materials are held. Although many writers and publishers adhere to these standards when publishing on the Web, many don't. It's up to you to cast a critical eye, sorting fact from fiction, actuality from opinion. Whether you are reading a printed article or an electronic one, a healthy dose of skepticism is in order.
Why is this important? The Internet is full of all sorts of information, but unless you can be reasonably sure of its source and accuracy, be wary. One example that made international headlines involved Pierre Salinger, a former correspondent for ABC News. He claimed to have information that TWA Flight 800, which crashed after takeoff from New York's Kennedy airport, was shot down by a U.S. Navy missile. In fact he obtained his information from a posting on an Internet newsgroup.
Although the document contained great technical detail, there was no hard evidence to back up the allegation. In fact, this "information" had been circulating on the Net for months before Salinger "discovered" it. He made the mistake of accepting gossip as truth, which proved to be professionally embarrassing.
While embarrassment on the TMF is rarely fatal, more serious consequences can result from following medical or legal advice posted in newsgroups or on websites. While someone may be well-meaning in offering the information, can you trust it? Is this person a doctor, a lawyer or just an opinionated individual? Is the website affiliated with a reputable professional organization, or some fringe group?
To help members evaluate information critically, we offer some guidelines:
Who is the author?
The first test involves authorship. Have you heard of the writer before? What is the reputation of the writer? Is he or she an acknowledged expert in this particular subject area? An article about the broadcasting industry written by Walter Cronkite will carry more credence than one by a rookie newscaster. Most professional publications, including newspapers, magazines and trade journals credit the writer. Is there biographical information about this person? Is there a way to contact the writer (a phone number, mailing address or e-mail address) should you want additional information? Information presented anonymously should arouse suspicion.
On a more technical level, how well written is the article? Is it grammatically correct? Are there spelling errors? This may sound trivial, but it does give some indication whether the writer is a professional or an amateur.
Who is the publisher?
Since some articles on the Web may not attribute the writer, the next criterion to evaluate is the publisher of the website. Is this an organization you've heard of before? Does it have a presence in the real world, such as The Globe and Mail or The New York Times and CNN? To assure accuracy, reputable publishers fact-check articles. Professional journals usually require peer review of articles.
Many publications, however, just exist electronically. If this is the case, what can you find out about the publisher? What qualifies it to write about the subject? Does it have expertise in this area? This leads to the next criterion.
What is the point of view?
Rarely is information completely neutral; usually there's a point of view, maybe even a hidden agenda. Because it's so easy to publish on the Internet, opinions abound. Always consider the source of the information. For instance, articles you find on a corporate website most likely promote the interests of the company and its products. Regard these as advertisements, not objective analysis. Likewise, information on a political website promotes the interests of the party and its candidates. Don't expect opponents to be treated fairly.
Are there references to other sources?
Does the author cite other sources of information in the article? Are these sources reputable ones? Can you go to these sources to verify the information? Answers to these questions will help you decide on the reliability of the document in question.
How current is the information?
Finally, online documents should include the date when they were written or when they were last updated. It's important to know the timeliness of the information, because newer, more relevant information may exist elsewhere.
As moderators on the TMF we attempt to evaluate these factors when examining posts, and at times have made judgements based upon the criteria above. This is the essence of the task and should not be taken personally. Information is the basis for discussion.
Please make an honest attempt to bring only accredited, reputable websites to the Forums.
Thank you,
Q