Debate the issues on global warming: Think critically worksheets

Think critically: Accuracy & Authority?

Questions to ask about a Web page to determine Authority and Accuracy:

Note: The greater number of questions listed below answered "YES", the more likely it is you can determine that the source is of high information quality.

1. Is it clear what company or individual is responsible for the contents of the page?
2. Is there a link to a page describing the goals of the company/organization?
3. Is there a way of verifying the legitimacy of this company/organization? Example: is there a phone number or postal address to contact for more information? (email address is not enough).
4. Is it clear who wrote the material & are the author's qualifications for writing on this topic clearly stated?
5. Are the sources for any factual information clearly listed so they can be verified in another source?
6. If the material is protected by copyright is the name of the copyright holder given?
7. Is the information free of grammatical, spelling and other typographical errors?
   
   TOTAL YES'S = _______

Think critically: Fact or Opinion?

Questions to ask about a Web page to determine Fact or Opinion:

Note: The greater number of questions listed below answered "YES", the more likely it is you can determine that the source is of high information quality.

1. Are the organization's biases (particular view point and opinion) clearly stated?
2. If there is any advertising on the page, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content?
3. Is the site's purpose clear and does the content reflect the purpose, be it to entertain, persuade, educate or sell?
   
   TOTAL YES'S = ______

Think critically: Currency & Coverage?

Questions to ask about a Web page to determine Currency and Coverage:

Note: The greater number of questions listed below answered "YES", the more likely it is you can determine that the source is of high information quality.

1. Are there dates on the page or at Page Info to indicate:
   1. when it was written
   2. when it was first placed on the Web
   3. when the page was last revised?
2. Are there any other indications that the material is kept current?
3. If material is presented in graphs and/or charts, is it clearly stated when the data was gathered?
4. Is there an indication that the page has been completed and is not still under construction?
5. Is it clear what topics the page intends to address?
6. Does the page succeed in addressing these topics, or has something significant been left out?
7. Can you follow link(s) to find further coverage of content elsewhere?
   
   TOTAL YES'S = _______

Adapted with permission from:
Alexander, Jan and Marsha Ann Tate, "Evaluating Web Resources," Wolfgram Memorial Library, http://muse.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/webeval.htm, (accessed October 2000).