A Website is only as good as its author!
It is easy to take a Website at face value when it appears on-line, looks cool, and has all the bells and whistles. The trouble is that there are millions of great Websites and millions of terrible Websites.

It Must be True--I Found It on the Web!
For years, media pundits (not to mention advertisers) have known that  people tend to regard as true most information they see on television. Imagine, then, the potential for information mayhem when a generation raised on  television (and who wasn't at this point?) turns to the   multimedia World Wide Web as its primary research tool. Of course, most of us know deep down inside that not everything on TV--or the Web--is true. However, most of us aren't undergraduates writing research papers at 2 AM. But that's how students spend their time (at least part of it), and it's the most natural thing in the world to surf the Web for that perfect citation to clinch whatever point they were trying to make before slipping into sleep-deprived oblivion. The obvious danger is that a great deal of information on the Web is not crafted according to the highest academic standards. Or, as a well-known cartoon says, "On the Internet, no one knows you're a dog."

How can you navigate through the vagaries of the Web?
After all, though it has some faults, it is the largest compendium of information ever created, and it will only grow in size and importance. There are two parts to the answer. First, remember that the Web is a source of information, not necessarily knowledge. Equipping students with the critical thinking to turn information into knowledge is the essential guidance that teachers bring to all computer-mediated learning. Second, the information itself almost always provides clues to its veracity that are visible to the critical eye.

How to Tell Garbage from Gold?
As with any arena of popular culture (movies, music, magazines), the Web As with any arena of popular culture (movies, music, magazines), the Web generally makes no pretense of scholarly rigor. It is aimed at a general audience for whom superficial discussion of a subject is often all that is  required to formulate an opinion, buy a product, or satisfy curiosity. That is not necessarily a bad thing: one would probably not care to hack through dense and closely reasoned arguments when comparing the relative virtues of recently-released CDs. But, when the Web is used as an academic resource, students need to know that there are--and that they are expected to use--some basic guidelines when evaluating information on a Web site. The tips that follow are both a survival kit for wired scholars and a proactive attempt to define the field by demanding quality: Does the Web site have a date? This most basic piece of information is not negotiable. Without a date (minimally the date of writing or copyright; preferably the date of the most recent update as well), the online material simply cannot be considered a resource worthy of the name. Is the author's name and contact information clearly displayed? This is another non-negotiable demand. No matter how brilliant the argument, if it's not attributable, it's not a resource. Do accepted scientific methods and clear citations support the author's argument? Scholarship is a craft with tested and time-honored standards. Online scholarly works must adhere to the same rigorous  academic criteria as printed materials, or they do not constitute scholarship and should not be used. Rather than excusing the shortcomings of a resource because it's online, just refuse to use it. You will do a great service both to online scholarship--and to the author.

Is the text clearly and carefully written, with proper grammar and punctuation?
Given the plethora of spelling and grammar checking software available today, what reputable scholar would permit any work bearing their name to see the light of day with mistakes in it? Shoddy work is not only offensive, it is suspicious.

Are differing opinions or positions presented?
Are they treated respectfully? While this point may not be immediately obvious to students, it cannot be overemphasized. No online resource that makes its case by attack or disparagement can be considered reputable.

Does the Web site support a product for sale?
If so, you may want to evaluate the motives of the site and its advertisements.

Is the Web site associated with a political, social, or religious movement? While a site of this type may contain gems, it's important--like with print material--to be able to identify whether or not the site has a certain slant.

Does the Web site use garish or obtrusive graphics?
Like corrupt politicians who wrap themselves in the flag, less-than-credible online materials often hide behind bright colors and twirling icons. If something other than solid, well-substantiated information catches your eye, chances are it's no accident.

Does the Web site feel right?
Is it the kind of work you would expect of a scholar? At the end of the day, you are the audience and consumer of the online resource. If anything about a Web site leaves you feeling   uncomfortable, just click out of it and find another one. Your academic peace of mind really is worth more than the illusion of convenience - even at 2 AM.

Of course, adherence to these guidelines is not an ironclad guarantee of veracity, any more than deviation from them inevitably indicates bogus information. Common sense and a healthy skepticism are always in order. But by establishing some rules for online scholarship we not only guide our students around academically hazardous pitfalls. We also place the burden of proof squarely where it belongs: on those who claim to place authoritative information on the Web.

Evaluating Web sites is a learned skill, the same as evaluating print resources, and one that is sharpened with practice. Fortunately, the Web itself offers countless examples, both good and bad, on which to practice.

Ideally, we should subject a Website to the same scrutiny we give to an article or book; unfortunately, some of us take them at face value too. Much information can be gained from clicking and holding on "View" at the top bar on Netscape, then highlighting and exploring "document source." In summary, just ask yourself the following simple questions about every Website before giving it any validity.

*Who is the author?

*Who "published" the site, or provides the server on which the site is located?

*How up-to-date is the site?

*Does the site refer to on other sources from which you can find corroboration or legitimacy in your eyes?

*What is the point of view of the site's author? Is there an obvious bias, an attempt to avoid bias, or an attempt to overcome bias?