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Evaluating Websites & Internet Sources

Use this guide to help evaluate internet sources

What is the Information TImeline?

As new information is observed, recorded, created, and produced, the information develops or changes over time. 

This is known as the information cycle. 

Having an understanding of the information cycle can help to verify the quality and context of the information you are using.

Information Cycle Timeline Graphic

Image source: https://everettcc.instructure.com/courses/1825686/pages/information-cycle-timeline

When encountering a source, ask questions like:
  • How long did it take to create the information?
  • How many experts have examined, evaluated, tested, or otherwise verified the accuracy this information before it was produced or published?
  • What kind of source, and how many other sources, does the information appear in and what does that say about it? 

 

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