Starting Points:

Below are several starting points for research online. Visit them and examine what is available on each site.

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/401links.html

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/library.html

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/

Basic Web Tutorial:

Below is a standard web-use tutorial, which will introduce you to the terminology and usage of the World Wide Web.

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/csitutor.html

Evaluating a Website:

Below is an outline of the questions which students should ask about each website they visit in order to evaluate the site for usefulness and appropriateness.

I: Purpose:

What is the purpose of this website?

Is someone trying to sell something to you?

Is someone trying to persuade you about something?

Is someone trying to inform you?

II: Source:

What is the source of the site?

Who mounted the information?

What authority or special knowledge does the author have?

Can you email the creator of the site?

What information can you find in the URL?

What information can you find out by backing off the URL?

III: Content Analysis:

Check for Accuracy

What is the source for the information?

Does it fit with other sources for the same information?

How do other (offline) sources complement the accuracy of this site?

Check for Comprehensiveness

What is the coverage of the site, chronologically and in terms of subject matter?

How do other (offline) sources complement this site?

Check for Currency

When was the site last updated?

Check for Hyperlinks:

Are the links relevant and appropriate?

Are there other, better, links for the topic?

IV: Style and Functionality:

Is the site well-organized?

Does the site contain errors of spelling and grammar?

Is it a usable site?

An Interesting Website to Evaluate:

http://www.albany.edu/library/internet/addiction.html

Last modified: Saturday 21 October 2000.