Final answer:
True, there is a concern about the quality of information found on the internet. Users must be vigilant in evaluating online resources by considering the source's credibility, looking for citations, corroborating information, and consulting experts or librarians when in doubt about a source's reliability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concern about the quality of information found on the internet is indeed valid. As the internet is not regulated for quality or accuracy, a user must evaluate the resources they come across. To assess the reliability of online resources, consider the following:
- The method of finding the web page; academic sources or faculty recommendations are preferable over general searches.
- The credibility of the website's creator; check if the source is a scholar, museum, or a research organization.
- The existence of citations and references to ensure that the material is backed by objective and reliable sources.
- The ability to corroborate the site's information with other sources to confirm accuracy and reliability.
- The inclusion of the site by your school library as a resource.
If you're uncertain about the quality of an online source, don't hesitate to consult a librarian for guidance.
When evaluating the strength of online sources, whether primary or secondary, a user should use a critical eye to examine the content. It's essential to identify author credentials, the presence of cited sources, the lack of bias, and to determine whether the content seems fair and balanced.