Evaluating the Validity of Material on the Internet or "Can You Trust This Information?   Are You Willing to Stake Your Grade on It?" Revised September 2007 Validity:  the quality of being well-founded on fact, or established on sound principles, and thoroughly applicable to the case or circumstances.      Oxford English Dictionary. Whenever you find information, especially information on the Internet, ask yourself these questions about the site and the information it presents.  Remember, if you accept it as a valid source of reliable information, you're staking your grade (or $$, or getting to your appoinment on time) on it! Content    * What is the intent of this information? Why was it posted (for entertainment, education, marketing)?    * Can you detect any evidence of bias from reading the page?     * What kinds of language and images does the site use (formal, conversational, argumentative, slang)?    * Is the site well designed? Sources/Accountability You should be able to answer the first two questions, and YES to a majority of the rest.  The first two are deal-breakers if you can't find the answers -- it's essentially anonymous information.  The rest add up to a pattern of reliability and accountability on the part of the person or organization creating the site.    * From where is this information coming? What is the source?    * Is this site sponsored by an individual, group, or organization?    * Is the author/publisher a recognizable authority?    * Does the author/publisher provide his/her e-mail address?    * Is there a common link to the page from a recognized authority?    * Does the page link to other sites that pass the reliabilty test?    * Does the page provide other sources which could be contacted for confirmation or further information?    * Does the page cite a bibliography or provide references to confirm the accuracy of the information?    * Has the site been reviewed by a "content" reviewing agency, such as Britannica, netTrekker,        or recommended by a teacher?    * Has the site been updated recently? Cite: To quote (a passage, book, or author); generally with implication of adducing as an authority. Citing Internet Sources Whenever you use outside information in your work, you must give credit and point readers toward the originial source.  This is called "citing a source." The following is the MLA format for citing Internet sources in bibliographies: Generic format    Author(s). Name of Page. Date of Posting/Revision. Date of Access. <URL/electronic address>. Example    "ERA in Action". Not For Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton           and Susan B. Anthony. Undated. September 10, 2007. <http://www.pbs.org/stantonanthony/>. ~~~ Qustions?  Ask me! Anna Watkins Jr. High & High School Librarian E-mail: watkins.anna@paideiaschool.org