Using the Internet as a Source of Information

 

Learning About the Candidates

Step One:  Clarify your own ideas

 

Step Two:  Who's running for office?

 

Step Three:  Gather information

 

Using the Internet

 

A Warning about the Internet: be very careful to enter the exact URL address of an organization.   Many web sites use addresses very similar to those of other organizations.

 

Questions to Ask

- Who is the author of the site?

- What are the author's credentials?

- How knowledgeable is the author?

- Who is the sponsor of the site?

- What is the purpose or intent of the organization?

- What is the scope of this resource?

- Is the material free of errors? (typos and grammar mistakes should make you skeptical about the quality of the information, too)

- Where did the information come from?

- Does the material try to persuade you?

- Is the page promotional? (an ad or from the candidate)

- Could advertising on the page influence the content?

- Who is the intended audience?

-Is the information available in print or elsewhere?

- When was the site last updated?

- Are the links current and accurate?

- Does the site rely on the most current available information? If not, why not?

- Is the information easy to get to?

- Do the images improve or distract from the content?

- Does the site have its own search engine?

- Is the site always available?

- Is this a free site, or is there a cost?

- Do you have to register to use the site?

- Does the site rely on advertising to pay for itself?

 

Statistics and Polls