Information Review #3: Web Source
Assigned: October 21, 1998
Due: October 28, 1998
Points: 75

Purpose:

• To apply evaluation criteria to a web source.
• To examine, in depth, a resource that focuses on your final project topic.
• To finely tune your written evaluative review skills and knowledge acquired to date.

General Instructions

• Select a web resource that reflects, in some way, your final project topic.
• You might want to check out the following subject directories for help in selecting a web site.
  • Librarians Index to the the Internet
    http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/InternetIndex/
    

    Magellan

    http://www.mckinley.com
    

    Yahoo

    http://www.yahoo.com
    

    Lycos Top %5

    http://point.lycos.com/categories/
    

    Your Online! text lists many good web sites on pages 183-200. Or go to their online site.

    http://www.smpcollege.com/online-4styles~help/ires.html

• Examine the source you chose according to the Web Evaluation Criteria handout distributed in class. A web based version of this is available at http://lib.nmsu.edu/staff/susabeck/evalcrit.html; however it does not include Navigation criteria.
• If this is a web page within a web site, be sure to check out the entire web site.
• Follow the Guidelines for Writing Information Reviews available at http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/lsc311/beck/basic.html.

Citations

• Follow guidelines cited in your Online! textbook.
• Or checkout the web based version of this text at http://www.smpcollege.com/online-4styles~help/
• Put the citation at the top of your review.

Specific Details

• Write in standard English, use precise language
• Give examples. If you are comparing the web site to another or to a print resource, cite or name the source. When noting problems or helpful parts of the web source, name them. Explain why you believe the source is a good or a bad one. If you believe the site to be unreliable or inaccurate or out of date, explain what exactly leads you to believe this. A statement such as "This page is out of date because it was created on March 23, 1996" does not explain why the page is out of date. You need to compare it to another site or give evidence why it is out of date (more recent information/links/web sites available).
• 300-500 words
• You may send your review to me via e-mail or as an attachment.

If you have any questions or concerns about this assignment, please see me or e-mail me.

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by Susan E. Beck
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM

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