Quality+checking+the+web

=Who quality checks the web? You do!= On the internet, there are no editors and it's free so anyone can write anything, for example...****

**But first, let's talk Wikipedia**
Unfortunately universities hate it, some will even deduct grades if you use it. Why? Read about this issue from Wikipedia themselves: **[|Wikipedia: Academic Use]**

Wikipedia is great. In fact, research shows that Wikipedia is bigger and more current than Encyclopaedia Britannica...research also shows that Britannica is better written and more reliable. So, bigger & newer OR better & reliable? You choose.
 * Much respect to Wikipedia for documenting their own weaknesses.**

Actually this comparison tells us a lot about the differences between **old & new media**, and about how neither is better anymore, they just have different uses.


 * Britannica** is written like a book so the original author is a professional and then each item is checked by a qualified editor (or several editors). So we know that the facts written in Britannica have been checked & double-checked. But this takes time so items tend to be older and they won't do pop items.


 * Wikipedia**, like all of the internet, is based on popularity so it has the advantage of being updated daily, covering the latest news items, and covering popular items that Britannica might not do such as Vietnam Idol. But professional writers & editors cost money so Wikipedia is mostly written by untrained amateurs.


 * This means that we have to be our own editors when we use Wikipedia and the open web.**

=**To do this we use REAL**= REAL is a 4 step system of critiquing information sources. It's much easier than you think, in fact you probably mostly do it already. A little more practice will make it automatic for you and soon you'll be sniffing out dodgy website without even noticing you're doing it!

Read about it in the **Evaluating Websites PDF**, then do the **Practice PDF**, and finally read the **Answers PDF**. Do them in order please, no peeking!
 * Right click and open each in a new window.**

REAL was created by [|Alan November], this version has been modified for BIS students.