© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers Chapter 12: Reading and Evaluating...

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publi© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishersshing as Longman Publishers

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Reading and Evaluating Internet Reading and Evaluating Internet

SourcesSources

Efficient and Flexible Reading,Efficient and Flexible Reading, 8/e 8/eKathleen T. McWhorterKathleen T. McWhorter


In this chapter you will learn:In this chapter you will learn:

1.1. To locate electronic sources more To locate electronic sources more effectively.effectively.

2.2. To evaluate Internet sources.To evaluate Internet sources.

3.3. To read electronic text.To read electronic text.

4.4. To develop new reading and thinking To develop new reading and thinking strategies for electronic text.strategies for electronic text.


Using Caution on the InternetUsing Caution on the Internet

The Internet is not owned by anyone and has The Internet is not owned by anyone and has no central sponsorship.no central sponsorship.

There is no set of standards by which There is no set of standards by which allall material is evaluated before it is published.material is evaluated before it is published.

Information on the World Wide Web is not Information on the World Wide Web is not organized with the goal of being easy to locate.organized with the goal of being easy to locate.

Not all information on a topic is available on Not all information on a topic is available on the Web.the Web.

Many materials written prior to the 1980’s Many materials written prior to the 1980’s are not on the Web.are not on the Web.


Locating Electronic Locating Electronic Sources on the WebSources on the Web

Identifying KeywordsIdentifying Keywords Using Subject DirectoriesUsing Subject Directories

INFOMINE (infomine.ucr.edu)INFOMINE (infomine.ucr.edu) Yahoo (www.yahoo.com)Yahoo (www.yahoo.com)

Using a Search EngineUsing a Search Engine Using Meta-Search Engines: Using Meta-Search Engines: Google, Yahoo!, Google, Yahoo!,

InfoMine, Exalead, Kartoo, IxquickInfoMine, Exalead, Kartoo, Ixquick


Tips for Locating Reliable Tips for Locating Reliable Web SitesWeb Sites

Use the Web only when it is appropriate to do so.Use the Web only when it is appropriate to do so. Notice obvious clues that point to lack of Notice obvious clues that point to lack of

credibility.credibility. Distinguish between original Web material and Distinguish between original Web material and

reprinted material.reprinted material. Recognize that articles put up on the Web (that Recognize that articles put up on the Web (that

originally appeared in print) are devoid of many of originally appeared in print) are devoid of many of the usual reliability clues.the usual reliability clues.

Do not assume that every source contains accurate Do not assume that every source contains accurate and reliable information.and reliable information.


Evaluate the AppropriatenessEvaluate the Appropriateness Evaluate the SourceEvaluate the Source Evaluate Level of Technical DetailEvaluate Level of Technical Detail Evaluate the PresentationEvaluate the Presentation Evaluate CompletenessEvaluate Completeness Evaluate the LinksEvaluate the Links

Evaluating the Content of a Evaluating the Content of a Web SiteWeb Site


Evaluating the Accuracy of a Evaluating the Accuracy of a Web SiteWeb Site

Are the author’s name and credentials provided?Are the author’s name and credentials provided? Is contact information for the author included on the Is contact information for the author included on the

site?site? Is the information complete or in summary form?Is the information complete or in summary form? If opinions are offered, are they presented clearly as If opinions are offered, are they presented clearly as

opinions?opinions? Does the writer make unsubstantiated assumptions or Does the writer make unsubstantiated assumptions or

base his or her ideas on misconceptions?base his or her ideas on misconceptions? Does the site provide a list of works cited?Does the site provide a list of works cited?


Evaluating the Timeliness of a Evaluating the Timeliness of a Web SiteWeb Site

CHECK:CHECK: the date on which the Web site was mounted the date on which the Web site was mounted

(put on the Web).(put on the Web). the date on which the document you are using the date on which the document you are using

was added.was added. the date on which the site was last revised.the date on which the site was last revised. the date on which the links were last checked.the date on which the links were last checked.


Evaluating the Purpose of a Evaluating the Purpose of a Web SiteWeb Site

InformationalInformational——presents facts and research datapresents facts and research data NewsNews——provides current information of local, provides current information of local,

national, or international interestnational, or international interest AdvocacyAdvocacy——promotes a particular cause or point of promotes a particular cause or point of

view, often concerning a controversial issue.view, often concerning a controversial issue. PersonalPersonal——information about a person, his or her information about a person, his or her

interests and accomplishmentsinterests and accomplishments CommercialCommercial——sells or promotes goods and sells or promotes goods and

servicesservices Combination sitesCombination sites


Evaluating the Structure of a Evaluating the Structure of a Web SiteWeb Site

Is it easy to use?Is it easy to use? Is the information found quickly?Is the information found quickly? Is there a site map or directory?Is there a site map or directory? Graphics, sound and color should not Graphics, sound and color should not

detract from the usability of the site.detract from the usability of the site.

W eb P ag e 1 W eb P ag e 2 W eb P ag e 3

S ite M ap


Checklist for Evaluating Checklist for Evaluating Web SourcesWeb Sources

What is the purpose of the site?What is the purpose of the site? Is the site appropriate for your research Is the site appropriate for your research

purpose?purpose? Who is the site’s sponsor and who is the author?Who is the site’s sponsor and who is the author? Are the author’s name, credentials, and contact Are the author’s name, credentials, and contact

information provided?information provided? Does the site have an appropriate level of detail?Does the site have an appropriate level of detail? Is the information presented clearly?Is the information presented clearly?


Is the information complete?Is the information complete? Are sources documented?Are sources documented? Are opinions distinguished from facts?Are opinions distinguished from facts? Is the information available in print form?Is the information available in print form? When was the site last revised?When was the site last revised? Are the links useful and up-to-date?Are the links useful and up-to-date? What role, if any, does advertising play?What role, if any, does advertising play?

Checklist for Evaluating Checklist for Evaluating Web Sources (continued)Web Sources (continued)


Reading Web sites involves paying attention to Reading Web sites involves paying attention to sound, graphics, and movement, as well as words.sound, graphics, and movement, as well as words.

Text on Web sites comes in brief, independent Text on Web sites comes in brief, independent screenfuls, sometimes called nodes.screenfuls, sometimes called nodes.

Text on Web sites may not follow the traditional Text on Web sites may not follow the traditional main idea-supporting details organization of main idea-supporting details organization of traditional paragraphs.traditional paragraphs.

Web sites are multidirectional and unique; Web sites are multidirectional and unique; traditional text progresses in a single direction.traditional text progresses in a single direction.

Reading Electronic Reading Electronic Text or HypertextText or Hypertext


Web site text requires readers to make decisions.Web site text requires readers to make decisions. Web sites allow readers the flexibility to choose the Web sites allow readers the flexibility to choose the

order in which to receive the information.order in which to receive the information. Web sites use new symbol systems.Web sites use new symbol systems.

Reading Electronic Reading Electronic Text or HypertextText or Hypertext


Electronic texts have a wide variety of formats and Electronic texts have a wide variety of formats and include color, animation, sound, and music as well as include color, animation, sound, and music as well as words. words.

Reading tends to be slower on the computer screen Reading tends to be slower on the computer screen than on print sources; one expert estimates about 25% than on print sources; one expert estimates about 25% slower.slower.

A computer screen holds fewer words than a book’s A computer screen holds fewer words than a book’s page, so you get less feedback before you page, so you get less feedback before you begin to read.begin to read.

Changing Your Reading Changing Your Reading Strategies for Reading Strategies for Reading

Electronic TextElectronic Text


Focus on Your PurposeFocus on Your Purpose Get Used to the Site’s Design and LayoutGet Used to the Site’s Design and Layout

1.1. Spend a few minutes getting used to the site and Spend a few minutes getting used to the site and discovering how it is organized.discovering how it is organized.

2.2. Expect the first screen to grab your attention and make a Expect the first screen to grab your attention and make a main point.main point.

3.3. Get used to the colors, flashing images, and sounds before Get used to the colors, flashing images, and sounds before you attempt to obtain information.you attempt to obtain information.

4.4. Consider both the focus and limitations of your learning Consider both the focus and limitations of your learning style.style.

Developing New Ways of Developing New Ways of Thinking and ReadingThinking and Reading


Pay Attention to How Information is OrganizedPay Attention to How Information is Organized1.1. Use the site map to discover what information is available Use the site map to discover what information is available

and how it is organized.and how it is organized.2.2. Consider the order in which you want to take in Consider the order in which you want to take in

information.information.3.3. Consider writing brief notes to yourself as you explore a Consider writing brief notes to yourself as you explore a

complicated Web site.complicated Web site.4.4. Expect shorter, less detailed sentences and Expect shorter, less detailed sentences and

paragraphs.paragraphs.



Use Links to Find the Information You NeedUse Links to Find the Information You Need1. Plan on exploring links to find complete and detailed

information.2. As you follow links, be sure to bookmark your original site

and other useful sites you come across so you can find them again.

3. If you use a site or a link that provides many pages of continuous paragraphs, print the material and read it offline.

4. If you find you are lacking background on a topic, use links to help fill in the gap or search for a different Web site on the same topic.

5. If you get lost, most Internet browsers have a history feature.



1.1. Use a print source to browse for ideas to begin an open-Use a print source to browse for ideas to begin an open-ended assignment.ended assignment.

2.2. Use a print source to learn the basics about an unfamiliar Use a print source to learn the basics about an unfamiliar topic.topic.

3.3. Use print sources for in-depth research.Use print sources for in-depth research.4.4. Use print sources to locate illustrations, art reproductions, Use print sources to locate illustrations, art reproductions,

and photographs.and photographs.5.5. Use print sources to locate quick facts.Use print sources to locate quick facts.6.6. Use print sources to verify conflicting information that you Use print sources to verify conflicting information that you

find in online sources.find in online sources.

Critical Thinking Tip #12: Critical Thinking Tip #12: Choosing Between Print and Internet SourcesChoosing Between Print and Internet Sources


1.1. How can you locate electronic sources more How can you locate electronic sources more effectively?effectively?

2.2. How can you locate reliable Web sites?How can you locate reliable Web sites?3.3. What factors should you consider when What factors should you consider when

evaluating a Web site?evaluating a Web site?4.4. What are the five basic types of Web sites?What are the five basic types of Web sites?5.5. How does text on Web sites differ from print How does text on Web sites differ from print

text?text?6.6. How should you read electronic text?How should you read electronic text?

SummarySummary


Go ElectronicGo Electronic

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