Identifying Credible Web Sites
For families who have children with disabilities, searching the Internet is one of the first steps they take to find information about their child's disability, find programs and services, research medical procedures, and network with other families or organizations. A typical search for information provides links to numerous Web sites, leaving the family to choose through hundreds, if not thousands, of sites. Sifting through these Web sites can be an overwhelming and confusing task and since the Internet is not regulated, the credibility of a Web site can vary substantially. When searching for information on the Internet, families need to have a critical eye and a healthy dose of skepticism when assessing the credibility of a Web site. Always be aware that virtually anyone can have a Web site and anyone can post information. The following tips are for identifying credible Web sites.
This article contains links to other resources and organizations that may be of assistance to people with disabilities. The Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) attempts to verify that the links referenced are helpful for people with disabilities. However, OLRS does not guarantee that the information provided within the destination link is accurate or right for the particular needs of the person. Once you follow a link away from the OLRS Web site, refer to that site's privacy policy and disclaimer statements.
Look for Web sites that clearly state the site's purpose. The home page usually provides a statement or paragraph about the site's purpose, but it is worth it to dig deeper by checking the "About Us" section that is commonly found on Web sites. In fact, if a type of "About Us" section does not exist, then it may be best to leave the Web site. Remember the following when determining the site's author and purpose:
- Do NOT rely on first impressions. A site with a professional look does not necessarily mean that it is a reputable site.
- Read the mission, goals, and purpose of the organization and the Web site. Remember that these statements may influence the nature of the content. For example, some advocacy sites may be biased toward the topic being presented on their site, thus they may not report fairly on both sides of the topic.
- Find out who funds the site and who maintains Web site. Does this person or organization have the appropriate authority, expertise, or credentials?
- A good site will offer contact information in an easy-to-find location. Choose sites that list the organization's full contact information, including address, e-mail, and telephone numbers.
- The extension of the Web address can tell you a little about the site. For example, business (for-profit) sites normally end their Web address with .com, while non-profit organizations end with .org or .net. Educational institutions end with .edu, while government sites usually end with .gov. Unless you plan to purchase a product, it is best to stay away from .com sites.
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The quality of information is the most important aspect of a credible Web site. In addition, look for Web sites that are easy to use and easy to understand. Some Web sites help you evaluate their timeliness by posting the date that the site was last updated. Assess the content with the following in mind:
- Ensure that the information presented is current and that the site is updated frequently.
- Ask yourself questions about the content and how it is presented. Are there spelling errors? Is the information supported by sources? Is the content easy for me to understand? Does the information seem biased?
- Find sites that offer different ways for you to get information, such as through clear navigation bar choices, a search function, a list of frequently asked questions, or a site map or index.
- Avoid sites that have lots of advertisements or that require you to sign-in to receive information. These sites are often driven by selling products or services rather than providing information.
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Look for Web sites that offer a link to its privacy policy and disclaimer statements. These statements can help you to understand the level of privacy that you have when visiting the Web site, and the amount of "ownership" the Web owner claims to their content.
Privacy Policies
A privacy policy is a statement posted on a Web site that details the way that a Web site owner collects personal information from the people who choose to visit their Web site. When you visit a Web site, your computer sends to the Web site computer (also called the host or the server) pieces of information that may be personal to you. These pieces of information are called "cookies" and are stored in the your computer for future access by other Web servers. Cookies collected may reveal your Internet Protocol (IP) address, your computer browser or search engine, other Web sites you have visited, files you have downloaded, the date and time of your arrival, the time you spent on the Web site, features you used on the Web site, and much more. These pieces of information can tell a lot about you, your family, job, shopping, hobbies, political preferences, memberships and more. Some Web sites even sell your personal information to other persons, organizations, or businesses.
There are some ways that you can protect your privacy on the Internet. Before you choose to use the features of a Web site, such as when a site requires you to "sign-in" to gain access to certain areas of their site, read the site's privacy policy and make sure that your personal information is being used in a manner that is acceptable to you. If a privacy policy is not present, it is best to leave that site. Also, software programs are available (for a price) that enable you to protect your personal information from being collected via cookies and other means. You can also set the security and content options in your Internet browser. If you are not sure how to adjust your settings, contact your Internet service provider.
For more information about your privacy on the Internet, refer to the Links to Internet Privacy Resources section of this Web site.
Disclaimer Statements
A disclaimer statement is a notice posted on a Web site that describes what the Web owner does and does not guarantee in regard to the site's content. For example, a statement may say something like, "The information presented on this Web site should not take the place of legal or medical advice." Another common statement is, "The information on the site is believed to be current and correct; however, we do not guarantee that the information is current or correct."
As the old saying goes, "Don't believe everything you read." No matter what a disclaimer statement reads, do not let the advice or information you receive from a Web site supersede a visit to the doctor, the instructions from a doctor or therapist, or the legal advice of an attorney. If the information you learn from the Web site differs from a professional's opinion, talk to the professional first and express your concerns and questions.
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Most people look for information on Web sites by using a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo. A typical search may yield thousands of results and a common misconception is that the results listed at the beginning of the list are the sites that are the most reliable. Search engines do not look at the quality of content; instead search engines look at how popular the site is and refer to the keywords and phrases assigned by the owner of the site.
Although search engines are a valuable tool, sometimes it is better to find resources that are referenced on reputable Web sites, such as educational institutions, government agencies, or national organizations. You can also ask for references from other families and professionals. Whether you use a search engine, a link from another site, or a reference from someone else, always remember to use the criteria listed in this article to identify the credibility of the Web site you are visiting. For more information about identifying credible Web sites, refer to How To Evaluate A Web Site, an article written by the Law Library Resource Xchange.
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