Thinking Critically About Websites and Global Issues:
Anxiety
The World Wide Web is a wonderful resource if you’re looking for the latest information on almost any topic; however, because anyone can post to the Web, the quality of that information can vary tremendously. This assignment will give you the chance to critically evaluate two different Web pages as you also explore an important global issue.
Step 1: Visit the Web page below. It will give you detailed information about how to critically evaluate Web resources you might encounter while you’re doing research. Read through the information then print it out for use in Steps 3 and 4:
http://lib.colostate.edu/howto/evalweb2.html
Step 2: Explore two of the following sites: one from Group A and one from Group B.
Group A
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety
b. . http://anxieties.com/
c. http://iamlivingwithanxiety.blogspot.com/
d. http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1597
e. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/11/09/1-natural-remedies-for-anxiety/
Group B
a. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
b. http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/
c. https://www.anxiety.org/
d. http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
e. http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
Step 3: Answer the following questions:
a. In Step 1 you learned the important criteria for critically evaluating a Web page.
Keeping that information in mind, answer the following questions about the two Web
pages you chose in Step 2 (one from Group A and one from Group B).
1. Purpose: What is the purpose of the website? Why was the page created? Was
it to: inform; entertain; share information; advertise/sell a product or service;
influence views, beliefs, elections; provide up-to-the-moment news; or for
personal enjoyment?
2. Sponsor/Owner: On what type of Internet provider or organization does the
page reside? Government agency (.gov); educational (.edu);
business/company (.com); association (.org); entertainment (.com); news
bureau (.com); or a personal website (.com)?
3. Organization and Content: Is the page well organized and easy to navigate? Is
the information easy to find? Is the text well written (good grammar, no spelling
mistakes, etc.)? Are the links relevant and appropriate/worthwhile?
4. Bias – Political or Issue Stance: (of the author or sponsor) Some Web pages
have an inherent bias that will impact everything that appears on them. Is the
website associated with a particular political group; religious group; business
selling a product; or something/someone else altogether?
5. Date of Production/Revision: When was the web page created? When was it
last revised? How up-to-date are the links? Are the links still active (when you
click on them they’re connected to more information)?
6. Authority/author: Who is responsible for the page? Is the author an expert in
this field or otherwise qualified to provide this information? Does the author
provide contact information, such as an e-mail address or phone number, in
case you want to contact him/her?
7. What type of site is it? Is it a Website-only page; journal article; government
source; presentation given at a workshop or conference; blog; or wiki?
8. Audience: To what type of reader is the Web page directed? Is the page for:
general readers; students (elementary, high school, college, graduate);
professionals; or researchers and scholars?
9. Coverage: Does the Web page thoroughly cover the topic, partially cover it, or
is it just a brief overview? What, if anything is missing from the website?
10. Data: What type of data (numbers, tables, graphs, etc.), are provided on the Web page? Do both Web pages provide the same data? Or are there differences? Explain your answer.
(Source: http://lib.colostate.edu/howto/evalweb.html)
b. Which of the two Web pages would you recommend that a student use for preparing
a speech or research paper about the topic? Explain your answer?
c. How can you get involved and/or share the information you’ve learned with others?
Step 4: Now that you’ve critically evaluated both Web pages, construct a 500+ word essay that summarizes your conclusions. The guidelines below should help you construct your essay.
Type your paper using APA-style: 1” margins on all sides, 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font; page number and running head in the upper right corner, and black ink only.
a. Cover Page/Title Page: be sure to include the title of your essay; your name; the
course name and section number; my name (spelled correctly); and the due date.
b. Introduction: give the title for each Web page you chose, briefly explain the purpose
for writing the essay, and then summarize your answer to Step 3, letter b.
c. Body: Summarize what you found at both of the Web pages you chose (the type of
information provided by each), then evaluate each site using the answers you gave
for Step 3, letter a. Be sure to include the answers for all 10 of the questions!
d. Conclusion: Restate the purpose for writing the essay, and then give a brief summary
of your answers to Step 3 letters b and c.
e. Reference Page: be sure to give credit to both of the Web pages you chose for this
essay, along with the Web page from Step 1.
*NOTE: ESSAYS WILL BE EVALUATED BY PLAGIARISM SOFTWARE
