There are a number of websites on the internet and it makes sense to help homeschool students understand which ones can be used for factual research, and which ones are likely to misinterpret data. Here’s a list of things that they can be asked to check for, to ensure that the website is a legitimate one offering correct information.
Who is the Owner of the Website?
Is it an individual who collects information and shares it? Or is it a company which is distributing the data? Check who are the administrators of the website. One can usually get in touch with them using the ‘Contact Us’ page via the form or the email id that has to be provided on this page. If a website does not have this page, it is illegal as regulations require all websites to allow visitors to contact them. It is also a sign that the information on the website may not be represented truly.
Date of Creation and Age of Website
We often see a slew of websites popping up around a topic that is trending in the news. This is usually done to tap into the short term desire for information that people may have on this topic. Often such websites are left untended after the initial trend dissipates. Check to see when the website was created, also if the administrators are adding any current information to the website via a blog or new articles. If the homeschool student is using the website for research, the website should not have old information.
Purpose and Design of the Website
One good way to check if the website can be used for accurate research data is to see what it’s purpose is. Does it seek to inform visitors or does it seem to sell products? Is the website seeking to entertain the readers or is it merely stating facts. The design of the website also gives clues about the seriousness of the content. A good website will have well organized data which is easy to trace and find. The links will be helpful to navigate the site as well.