ALL INFO IS NOT EQUAL!
If you want to make sure that the information you receive is accurate, you have to be able to judge the quality of information.
For instance, statements found in tabloid newspapers are frequently exaggerations, misleading remarks, and rumor (unverified gossip) -- this is some of the poorest quality of information, bordering on outright lies.
The "popular press" includes books, magazines, newspapers, CD-ROMs, radio and tv shows written for non-specialist audiences. The quality of information found in the popular press ranges from almost as bad as tabloids to very accurate and reliable. Working professionals in all fields have publications for their fields, written, edited, and often peer-reviewed by experts (e.g., scientists, engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc.).
Which of these types of sources you go to for information depends on why you need the information (for entertainment, casual reading, or research for school or work.) If it's important that the info you find is *accurate*, you should stick with sources that you know are reliable (for instance, sources with editors and fact-checking systems). Scientific and professional sources written by experts which are edited and peer-reviewed provide the best assurance of quality.
Internet publications (including books and CD-ROMS that mirror web pages) are especially problematic, since it is possible for anyone to publish "information". The quality of information ranges from outright lies and false information to info provided by the world's experts in their field -- the trick is learning how to tell the difference! Is that page about frogs posted by a 9-year-old who likes frogs, or by a scientist at a research institution?
I know one web page devoted to a famous artist that is full of statements that are not true; it was created by a knowledgable fellow who tired of school children sending him rude e-mails demanding help with homework. He thought having a web page full of lies that children would put in their reports and get bad grades was a nifty way for him to get the last laugh. This is why it is important to know how to judge information!
TIPS for JUDGING THE SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Indicators to help you assess the type of person or organization who publishes info on the Internet:
Is the name of the person who wrote the text listed, along with a way to contact the author/s (e-mail or street address)? The first warning sign is lack of easy accountablity for posted info.
Does the author list her/his qualifications (e.g., M.D. medical doctor, J.D. lawyer, Ph.D. scientist, position in company or institution, years of experience with the topic, etc.)
If no author is listed, is the page part of a well-respected institution with editoral policies, and a contact address for the institutional web site (e.g., National Geographic)?
For web sites originating from the USA, the suffix (end) of the host address provides some information (most search engines allow you to limit your search by these, and other,
domains:
- .edu
- Educational site. Research universities have many pages written by experts in their field. "K-12" in the address indicates Kindergarten-High School pages.
- .com
- Commercial site. Some of these pages may be written by experts, but many are not, and the ultimate aim of these content providers is to make money, which may or may not encourage the offering of accurate info. Be careful.
- .gov
- United States government sites. Most of these pages include offical statements that have been cleared by several people; often written by experts (e.g., NASA, NOAA, etc.)
- .mil
- United States military sites.
- .org
- Non-profit organization sites. Text may or may not be written by experts, but at least profit is not a motive (although fund-raising might be).
- .net
- Network sites.
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This page is provided
by the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior at Indiana University as an aid for students from grammar school to graduate school and beyond.
We do not have the personnel available to individually answer general questions, so we offer online resources to help you
judge the quality of information,
do library research,
do online research,
improve study skills,
learn to write well,
find links to online resources about animals and animal behavior, and
learn about careers and training options in the field of animal behavior.
