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CARS Evaluation of Internet Sites: CARS

Using CARS to Evaluate a Website:

Practice using the CARS Checklist on these websites:

Robert Harris’ CARS Checklist for Website Evaluation

Credibility
  • Trustworthy source
  • Author’s credentials
  • Evidence of quality control
  • Known or respected authority
  • Organizational support

Goal: an authoritative source, a source that supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it.
Accuracy
  • Up-to-date
  • Factual
  • Detailed
  • Exact
  • Comprehensive
  • Audience and purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy

Goal: a source that is correct today (not yesterday), a source that gives the whole truth.
Reasonableness
  • Fair
  • Balanced
  • Objective
  • Reasoned
  • No conflict of interest
  • Absence of fallacies or slanted tone
  • Common sense

Goal: a source that engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably, concerned with the truth.
Support
  • Listed sources
  • Contact information
  • Available corroboration
  • Claims supported
  • Documentation supplied

Goal: a source that provides convincing evidence for the claims made, a source you can triangulate (find at least two other sources that support it).

 

For further information, consult former VUSC faulty member Robert Harris’ home page at http://www.virtualsalt.com

Library Tools

Install LibKey Nomad!

  • Go to libkeynomad.com 
  • Select your browser
  • Download and install
  • Select Vanguard University
  • Go! Check out Wikipedia, PubMed, Sage, and other websites and look for LibKey links.
  • Look for the "Access Options" button on the websites you visit.

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