Deck 19: Appendix D: Evaluating the Quality of Web-Based Resources

Question 1

What is the key to finding quality resources online?

A)Actively exercise judgment and critical thinking.
B)Limit your search to peer-reviewed sites.
C)Start with a common resource like Wikipedia and follow links from that source.
D)Rely on resources that have been referred to you by those you trust.

Answer 1

Actively exercise judgment and critical thinking.

Question 2

What is a danger associated with using the Internet for homework or research?

A)Students who use Internet sources are likely to be tempted to plagiarize.
B)Because the Internet is convenient, students may spend too much time using it as a resource and not spend enough time on more difficult research methods.
C)Internet sources are written at too low of a level to be useful for university-level research.
D)Internet resources are unstable and impermanent, so students are unable to provide verification of their research efforts.

Answer 2

Because the Internet is convenient, students may spend too much time using it as a resource and not spend enough time on more difficult research methods.

Question 3

Under what conditions would it be professionally acceptable to use resources that are "anonymous"?

A)when the accounts are associated with some sort of organization or foundation
B)when you already know who "anonymous" is
C)when the accounts have a "ring of truth" to them and seem logical
D)when you wish to examine first-person accounts dealing with sensitive personal issues, like descriptions of abuse or sexuality

Answer 3

when you wish to examine first-person accounts dealing with sensitive personal issues, like descriptions of abuse or sexuality

Question 4

How can you evaluate how "current" the information is on the website?

A)Because there is no good way to estimate how current the material is, you can't really be sure that the information you've accessed is up to date.
B)If there are any references that refer to articles published before 1990, the information is no longer useful.
C)Look for the date that the site was created, and how many "hits" it has received.
D)All links should be active, and there should be a range of references to current or recent publications.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an important criterion when evaluating materials on the Internet?

A)Who is the publisher or sponsor of the website?
B)What is the quality of the online presentation?
C)How popular is the site, or how many "hits" has it received?
D)What is the identity and qualification of the author?

Question 6

Which of the following would be most likely to provide unbiased information?

A)a website attached to a university, with a range of links and peer-reviewed articles on the topic of experimental analysis of reports of UFO abductions
B)an online article about post-traumatic stress disorder, written for a popular magazine, that includes a list of citations and contact information for all individuals interviewed for the article
C)a site maintained by a patients' rights group, providing information (including case studies and newspaper articles) about how clinicians may be implanting false memories in their clients
D)a site sponsored by a pharmaceutical company that explains in great detail (and with links to government health organizations) about the symptoms and treatments for depression

Question 7

What is most appropriate if you are evaluating the utility of information posted by an individual on a personal web page?

A)If the author has a PhD or MD degree, you can assume that the information is reliable.
B)If you find evidence that the author has peer-reviewed publications on the topic, you can likely trust that source.
C)If the author has provided links to information that supports his or her assertions, then the information must be reliable.
D)If the author has provided a reference list, then you can assume the information has been well supported.

Question 8

How should you use knowledge about the website's sponsor to evaluate its validity?

A)Sponsors such as reputable universities or large government agencies are typically reliable.
B)If the URL ends in something other than .com then the site may be sponsored by an unreliable source.
C)If there is a copyright notice, then the website is academically sponsored and therefore validated.
D)Sponsors pay for websites to be created, so there is an inherent conflict of interest.

Question 9

What is the role of sites such as The Argus Clearinghouse?

A)They scan websites for evidence of plagiarism and duplication.
B)They contain links to all educational sites in North America.
C)They are main sites for coordinating all research on a single topic.
D)They provide an estimate of quality for Internet-based information sites.

Question 10

How should you approach materials presented on the Internet by professional advocacy groups?

A)Advocacy groups usually present only one side of an argument, and may be biased even if they contain useful information for one side of the argument.
B)They are best for information about legal items, but don't necessarily include accurate health or disease-related information.
C)If they're professional groups, then they are more reliable.
D)Advocacy groups tend to publish propaganda, and are known for distributing intentionally misleading information about their causes.