critque

It is important to remember when doing research to be critical of what you read. When using the Internet one of the ways to evaluate a website is to see who authored the site. Does the information in the website come from a reputable scientist, historian, or museum curator? Or is the author an amateur or young student?

Make sure you are in the right place.

Does this site address the topic you are researching? Was the page worth visiting?

When in doubt, doubt.

Do you have good reason to believe that the information on the site is accurate? Do authors provide any supportive evidence for their conclusions?

Consider the source.

Who are the authors of the Web page? What gives them their authority or expertise to write? Who is responsible for the site? Is this a commercial, governmental, personal, or academic Web site?

Know what's happening.

What is the purpose of the site? Is the main purpose to inform, to persuade, or to sell you something? Do you understand what is being said? What do you think has not been said that should be addressed?

Look at details.

Is the site well organized? Are there misspelled words or examples of poor grammar? Do the links work and are they evaluated or annotated? Do they send you beyond the site to other reliable sources of information? Does the site offer anything unique or does it tell you little more than you could find in an encyclopedia? Are the graphics on the page clear and helpful or distracting and confusing?

Distinguish Web pages from pages found on the Web.

Do you think this page was designed for the Web, or do you think it was originally something else? If it was originally something else, what something else was it?

From the Ithaca Library http://www.ithaca.edu/library/Training/hott.html

Sites that show contrasting views will help you see both sides and make an informed decision. Look at the following three websites to see some some critical thoughts about Leonardo da Vinci.