2.18 Self-Assessment: Evaluating Websites


Evaluating Websites




Read  "The Dangers of Bread".  Click  here to access.  Then answer the questions below.  


  1. What is the purpose of the website? (Is it to inform, to present opinions, to report research, or to sell a product?)

    The website presents an opinion about bread; for example, the smell may be hazardous.

  2. For what audience is the information intended: general public, children, scholars?

    The website is aimed at anyone who eats bread.

  3. Who is the author? What proof of expertise is given? (bibliography, footnotes, list of references, or documentation) (Click "about us" or look at bottom of webpage.)

    http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/bread.html - No documentation or references are given.

    He mentions a recent Cincinnati Enquirer headline "Smell of baked bread may be health hazard" without giving the date.

  4. What organization is sponsoring or hosting the site? What objectives does this organization have?
    The organization may give you clues of the reliability or bias of the information presented.

    http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/bread.html

  5. What is the URL? How reliable is it?

    http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/bread.html The URL contains a name that is unreliable.

  6. How timely is the information? When was the site last updated? Or when was the information written?

    No last update information is given.

  7. Is the site biased? Does the site give facts or opinions? Does it seem reliable?

    The website is unreliable. The author gives an opinion without providing accurate evidence or facts.

  8. Does the site use primary or secondary sources?

    It uses no sources.

  9. Give the website a mark out of 10 for reliability, and explain why you have given it this grade.

    0/10 The website is a hoax.


  Please contact your teacher if you have questions.