Good stuff or garbage  ...You be the detective 

In order to tell whether information is reliable, you need to be a good detective. 
 

Here's a 4-finger test for credibility. 
Examine the suffix:

       If it is a .com site then look to see who claims responsibility for this information (This is usually found at the very bottom of the website.), and ask yourself the following questions:   

     Is it a reputable company?
     Is it an individual with or without credentials?  
     Do you detect bias? 
     Does the information not agree with everything else you are finding? 
     Is the information believable? 
     Is it a government site?
     Is it a commercial site which has won awards?
     Is it just a Joe Schmoe in his basement?
 

Take a look at the web sites below.  Are they bogus or good info sites?

www.ufomag.com http://zapatopi.net/afdb.html
Investment idea http://home.inreach.com/kumbach/velcro.html 
www.cdc.gov Tree Octopus?
Jackelope? haggis  hunt
DHMO.org  www.earthquake.com
World Trade Organization The Prima Ova Foundation
Clones-R-us Create a Child
Mankato Minnesota Home Page  compare to ... City of Mankato, Minnesota
Intelligent Mouse  
Super Cat ! www.cdc.gov

 Notice how some sites have even given themselves fake awards!

Compare these two:  The World Bank  & The Whirled Bank                

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Prepared by Paige Jaeger, Librarian, Glens Falls City School District, through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center.
pjaeger@gfsd.org   for questions or comments.

Last updated June  2006