How critical an observer are you? Learn how to evaluate information sources by doing the following exercise. You only have ten minutes, so be sure to stay on task!
Pick any two sites from the list below. What evidence can you find to determine whether or not these sites are favouring a particular point of view or are taking an objective approach?
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| Questions to consider when viewing these web pages for advocacy and objectivity. |
- Do the author(s) present the information as fact or opinion or conjecture?
- Does this page present more than one viewpoint or opinion?
- Can you determine who or what group sponsors this web page? Do they hold a particular view or opinion?
T
his exercise is based on an instructional web site created by J. Alexander and M. Tate, Wolfgram Memorial Library, Widener University, July 1996 and modified with the authors' permission. The original Web site, Evaluating Web Pages, is copyrighted by Widener University, 1996.
Created by Esther Grassian and Diane Zwemer. Copyright © 1997 UCLA College Library.
Permission is granted for unlimited non-commercial use of this exercise.