EvAluATIng InTERnET SouRCES 147■ evaluate the Purpose of the Site
Information is never objective, so whenever you evaluate a book, an article,
or a Web site, you should consider the point of view the writer or sponsor
is taking. It’s especially important to ask if there is a particular bias among
members of the group that sponsors the site. Can you tell what the spon
sors of the site advocate? Are they hoping to sell or promote a product, or
to influence opinion?
Not all Web sites provide easy answers to these questions. However,
James Crawford’s Language Policy Web Site & Emporium is quite explicit.
In fact, Crawford writes that “the site is designed to encourage discussion
of language policy issues, expose misguided school ‘reforms,’ ” and, among
other goals, “promote [his] own publications.” (Notice “Emporium” in the
name of the site.) He is candid about his self interest, which does raise a
question about his degree of objectivity.
What about a site like Wikipedia (“The Free Encyclopedia”)? The site
appears to exist to convey basic information. Although the popularity of
Wikipedia recommends it as a basic resource, you should approach the
site with caution because it is not clear whether and how the informa
tion posted on the site is regulated. It is prudent to confirm information
from Wikipedia by checking on sites that are regulated more transparently
rather than take Wikipedia as an authoritative source.■ evaluate the Information on the Site
In addition to assessing the purpose of a Web site like Wikipedia, you
need to evaluate the extent to which the information is recent, accurate,
and consistent with information you find in print sources and clearly
regu lated sites. For example, clicking on “The modern English only
movement” on Wikipedia takes you to a timeline of sorts with a num
ber of links to other sites. But again, what is the source of this infor
mation? What is included? What is left out? You should check further
into some of these links, reading the sources cited and keeping in
mind the four criteria for evaluating a claim — recency, relevance,
reliability, and accuracy. Because you cannot be certain that Inter
net sources are reviewed or monitored, you need to be scrupulous
about examining the claims they make: How much and what kind
of evidence supports the writer’s (or site’s) argument? Can you offer
counterarguments?
In the last analysis, it comes down to whether the information you find
stands up to the criteria you’ve learned to apply as a critical reader and
writer. If not, move on to other sources. In a Web based world of informa
tion, there is no shortage of material, but you have to train yourself not to
settle for the information that is most readily available if it is clearly not
credible.06_GRE_60141_Ch6_129_150.indd 147 11/11/14 2:46 PM