I keep six honest serving-men,
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why When And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea, I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me, I give them all a rest.
Their names are What and Why When And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea, I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me, I give them all a rest.
Information Percolation Initiative
Harnessing awareness of Information Quality
Have you had one too many google searches turn up only sales offers in the results’ first couple of pages? If only we knew how Google rates quality sites, we would sure do something about such undesired events.
But we do – know what makes information’s quality. And now, by voting on some information, according to those criteria, we can truly say that we’re marking quality information.
The Most Important Metric of all
The Metric of Personal Focus
This metric has to do with the importance of the particular piece of information on your priorities at the very point of time, during which the research is conducted.
Validity
Validity of some information has to do with...... the degree of obvious truthfulness which the information caries
- How valid is the content of the information?
- Does the information appear to be well researched?
- What data sources have been used? (The validity of these need to be evaluated -see sections below on authoritative and reputable sources)
- Do the resources fulfil the stated purpose?
- Has the format been derived from another format e.g. print? (Is it an electronic version of a printed book/newspaper etc.).
- Does the information claim to be unbiased (when in fact it's biased?)
- Are references given?
- Is there a bibliography?
- Does the resource have a scope statement?
- Is there any information missing?
- Is there any mention of the resource being available in another format?
- Is the information what it appears to be?
- Why is the information there? What was the motivation of the information provider when they made the information available? Do they have an ulterior motive?
- Does the resource point to other sources which could be contacted for confirmation?
- Is it merely vanity publishing?
- Is there a request for payment?
- The URL - Does the URL support the claim of authorship?
- Email addresses given - Are emails for a publisher, the author, referees, sources, etc. given?
- Contact details given - Are addresses and phone numbers given that support claims of authorship, sponsorship etc.?
- Traffic levels - Are they high?
- Is the content of the resource verifiable - can you cross check the information?
- Are the sources of the information stated? Is it an often-cited source?
Authority
Authority refers to the expertise or recognized official status of a source.
... Consider the reputation of the author and publisher. When working with legal or government information, consider whether the source is the official provider of the information.
- Can the author of the page be determined?
- Is contact information provided (name, email, phone number or address)?
- Is the author affiliated with an organization? Or is the author speaking for him or her self?
- Are qualifications or credentials for the individual or organization provided?
- Is the origin of the document documented?
- Author's title and institution/company displayed?
- Is the information attributed to an author or editor?
- Have you heard of the author before?
- Is the URL a university server?
- Is the author someone who has been cited frequently by respectable sources?
- Do you know the educational background of the author?
- Do you know the occupational background of the author?
- Is the information written on a topic in the author's area?
- Is the author's full name displayed?
- Has the author had previous publications of note?
- Is a biography of the author given?
Scope of Coverage
Scope of coverage refers to the extent to which a source ...... explores a topic. Consider time periods, geography or jurisdiction and coverage of related or narrower topics.
- Is the source of information provided?
- Who is the intended audience?
- What is the focus of the information?
- What is the depth of coverage of the information?
- Does the database cover the period of time of interest to you?
- Does it exclude select articles because of copyright licensing issues?
- Remember that almost anyone can publish on the web
Objectivity
Objectivity is the bias or opinion expressed when a writer interprets or analyze facts.... Consider the use of persuasive language, the source’s presentation of other viewpoints, a reason for providing the information and advertising.
- Does the author have a bias or agenda? (Is this bias stated or hidden?)
- Does the author indicate his or her goal in providing the information?
- Is there a disclaimer included in page?
- "Objectivity" can work closely with "Authority"
Uniqueness
As much as ‘uniqueness’ of a given piece of information is intuitive in meaning...... it also significantly implies not only the originating point of the information but also the manner in which it is presented and thus the perception which it conjures.The essence of any piece of information we process consists to a large extent of those two elements.
- Is it primary material?
- Is there any original work available at the site?
- Does the material have any relation to other works?
- Is the site inward focused i.e. not just a list of links to external sites?
- Is there any value added?
Timeliness
Timeliness refers to information that is current at the time of publication.
...Consider publication, creation and revision dates. Beware of Web site scripting that automatically reflects the current day’s date on a page.
- The information provided might have been current at the time it was published!?
- Can you establish the publication date?
- Does the revision date cover changes in content or aesthetic revisions only?
- Are dates included ("First Posted" date, "Last Updated" date)?
Integrity
1.adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character 2.the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished- Is the information current and up to date?
- Is the information durable in nature?
- Is there adequate maintenance of the information content?
- If the site contains data or information that is time-sensitive, how current is this data and information?
- How current is the material included in each update?
- Is a date given stating when the web item was mounted?
- Are time-sensitive resources available in near real-time?
- Do the stated dates respond to the information in the resource?
- Is the date given stating when the web item was created?
- How time-sensitive is the information, and how does this relate to frequency of update? (e.g. for resources such as timetables, schedules and conference announcements)
- If it is a static resource (not updated) will the information be of lasting use to the audience?
- Is the information of a type that has a limited period of use?
- Is the information provider likely to be able to maintain the information (unlikely in the case of information provided by students).
- Is the resource improved and enlarged and updated appropriately?
- Has the data been updated recently?
- Is there a statement about the frequency of update?
Composition
and Organization
Composition and Organization has to do with the ability of the information source to... present it’s particular message in a coherent, logically sequential manner.
- Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling and literary composition?
- Does it include jargon?
- Is the information within a resource phrased unambiguously?
- Is there a good structure?
- Is the information within a resource arranged logically and consistently?
- Is the information broken down into logical parts?
- Is the resource well laid out?
- Is the resource organised by the needs of the user?<
- Is the information broken down into digestible parts?
- Is the content clearly described?
- Are the headings clear and descriptive?
- Is there evidence of internal standardisation (e.g. use of a 'style sheet'?)
Comprehensiveness
1. of large scope; covering or involving much;...
... inclusive: a comprehensive study.
2. comprehending mentally; having an extensive mental grasp.
3. Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against loss.
- Is it primary material?
- Is there any original work available at the site?
- Does the material have any relation to other works?
- Is the site inward focused i.e. not just a list of links to external sites?
- Is there any value added?