Page 171 - Keys To Community College Success

KEY 5.12 Use the CARS test to determine information quality
on the Internet.

CREDIBILITY ACCURACY REASONABLENESS SUPPORT

Examine whether a Examine whether Examine whether Examine whether a source
source is believable information is correct— material is fair, is adequately supported
and trustworthy. i.e., factual, comprehensive, objective, moderate, with citations.
detailed, and up to date (if and consistent.
necessary).

What are the author’s Is it up to date, and is that Does the source seem Where does the information
credentials? important? fair? come from?
Look for education and If you are searching for a work of Look for a balanced Look at the site, the sources used
experience, title or position of literature, such as Shakespeare’s argument, accurate claims, by the person or group who
employment, membership in play Macbeth, there is no “updated” and a reasoned tone that compiled the information, and the
any known and respected version. However, you may want does not appeal primarily contact information. Make sure
organization, reliable contact reviews of its latest productions. For to your emotions. that the cited sources seem reliable
information, biographical most scientific research, you will and that statistics are documented.
information, and reputation. need to rely on the most updated
information you can find.
Is there quality control? Is it comprehensive? Does the source seem Is the information
objective? corroborated?
Look for ways in which the Does the material leave out any
source may have been important facts or information? While there is a range of Test information by looking for
screened. For example, Does it neglect to consider objectivity in writing, you other sources that confirm the facts
materials on an organization’s alternative views or crucial want to favor authors and in this information—or, if the
website have most likely been consequences? Although no one organizations who can control information is opinion, sources
approved by several members; source can contain all of the their bias. An author with a that share that opinion and back it
information coming from an available information on a topic, strong political or religious up with their own citations. One
academic journal has to be it should still be as comprehensive agenda or an intent to sell a good strategy is to find at least
screened by several people as is possible within its scope. product may not be a source three sources that corroborate
before it is published. of the most truthful material. each other. Reading and Information Literacy
Is there any posted For whom is the source Does the source seem Is the source externally
summary or evaluation written, and for what moderate? consistent?
of the source? purpose?
Do claims seem possible, or Most material is a mix of both
You may find abstracts of Looking at what the author wants does the information seem current and old information.
sources (summary) or a to accomplish will help you assess hard to believe? Does what External consistency refers to
recommendation, rating, or whether it has a bias. Sometimes you read make sense when whether the old information agrees
review from a person or biased information will not be compared to what you already with what you already know. If a
organization (evaluation). useful for your purpose; sometimes know? While wild claims may source contradicts something you
Either of these—or, ideally, your research will require that you turn out to be truthful, you know to be true, chances are higher
both—can give you an idea note and evaluate bias (such as if are safest to check everything that the information new to you
of credibility before you you were to compare Civil War out. may be inconsistent as well.
decide to examine a source diaries from Union soldiers with
in depth. those from Confederate soldiers).
Signals of a potential Signals of a potential lack Signals of a potential Signals of a potential lack
lack of credibility: of accuracy: lack of reasonableness: of support:
Anonymous materials, Lack of date or old date, Extreme or emotional Statistics without sources, lack of
negative evaluations, little or generalizations, one-sided views language, sweeping documentation, lack of corrobora-
no evidence of quality control, that do not acknowledge opposing statements, conflict of tion using other reliable sources
bad grammar or misspelled arguments interest, inconsistencies
words or contradictions

Source: Harris, Robert. “Evaluating Internet Research Sources.” VirtualSalt, November 22, 2010. From http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm

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