Reliability of WEB Sources

E. Siler

Definition

• The dictionary (www.ldoce.com) provides this definition of reliable:

Reliability and the WEB

• It’s important to find reliable WEB sources.• Not everything that is on the WEB can be

trusted.• In selecting sites, there are a number of

considerations.

Checking a Fact

• On p. 92 of the book, the author describes an accident that took place at an outdoor amphitheater in California because of leaking methane.

• Let’s suppose we want to learn more information about this event.

Step 1: Keywords

• Usually it’s best to insert a string of keywords into GOOGLE and see what pops up.

• To learn more about this event, try: 1986, Shoreline Amphitheater, concert, methane.

Step 2: Evaluate the Results

• Here are five results I found from entering that string of keywords:– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoreline_Amphithe

atre– http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/SWFacilities/Closur

e/PostClosure/CaseStudies/Shoreline/default.htm– http://www.ticketwood.com/venues/Shoreline-A

mphitheatre-_-CA-Tickets/index.php– http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/25-

years-25-fabulous-Shoreline-Amphitheatre-facts-2370266.php

– http://articles.latimes.com/1986-09-10/news/mn-13277_1_shoreline-amphitheater

Result 1

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoreline_Amphitheatre– Wikipedia;– Not refereed;– Anyone can edit;– Does provide one interesting reference: "Methane

testing in the vicinity of landfill environs” (EMI/Mtn. View).

Result 2

• http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/SWFacilities/Closure/PostClosure/CaseStudies/Shoreline/default.htm– State government site;– Links to another government

site:http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/SWFacilities/Landfills/Gas/CaseStudies/Shoreline/default.htm;

– Does not mention this event in particular but does indicate there were events of this nature.

Result 3

• http://www.ticketwood.com/venues/Shoreline-Amphitheatre-_-CA-Tickets/index.php– A .com site;– Presents the information under “Facts”; – No references.

Result 4

• http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/25-years-25-fabulous-Shoreline-Amphitheatre-facts-2370266.php– Offers 25 facts in a retrospective;– Written by a pop music critic;– No references.

Result 5

• http://articles.latimes.com/1986-09-10/news/mn-13277_1_shoreline-amphitheater– Contemporary to the events;– Mentions the events;– Quotes a reliable person – fire chief;– Mentions Manhattan Transfer, but not Steve

Winwood.

The results

• Most reliable:– The California State site– The LA Times article

• Least reliable:– .com site– SF Gate site

• Somewhat problematic: Wikipedia• For further investigation– Source in Wikipedia article