1. Validity and reliability of information on the Internet:
Teacher demonstration: Intermediate
A curriculum for critical thinking and web research This plan is part of a
critical thinking and web
Skill level: Intermediate
research curriculum
School level: Middle school (11–13 years old) developed by the International
High school (14–18 years old) Society for Technology in Education
(ISTE) and Microsoft.
Accuracy of content www.microsoft.com/ education/criticalthinking
The Internet is a fantastic medium for publishers of all
kinds. Anyone with minimal technological skills can create a website and share information
with the world. However, just because someone knows how to publish on the web does not
necessarily mean that the information they publish is accurate. Students must learn to
explore a website and investigate the site’s accuracy before taking the information on that
site at face value.
Teachers should lead students through a discussion regarding the accuracy of web pages,
paying particular attention to the following topics:
1. Who publishes the site?
Remember, you generally can find out who the author of a page is and whether that
author is part of a larger organization or group responsible for the overall site. For
example, a webpage with one individual author who does not appear to have
published elsewhere, does not have other websites, or is not part of a larger
information source might be questionable. How would we know that someone didn’t
make a one-time webpage just to vent about a particular topic? What if an author
simply put together a temporary page meant to persuade readers on a current
political issue?
2. Are there other sources with similar content?
Students may be tempted to only follow or use the information provided in the very
first site that appears in their search results. However, it is important to encourage
students to use multiple sources of information. This not only provides them with
a well-rounded view of the topic at hand, but it’s also an opportunity to weigh
each site’s content against other sites. This can help eliminate biased sources or
outdated information. By using multiple sources of information and by comparing
and contrasting those sources, users are more likely to end up with the most
accurate data.

2. 3. Web address endings (.gov, .org, .net, for example)
It is not uncommon for students to make assumptions about website accuracy based
on the site type. You may hear students suggest that a .com (commercial) site would
be more accurate, because those sites are typically commercial and not run by a
single individual. On the other hand, some would suggest that an .org (organization)
site would be more objective and accurate, because there may be no commercial
motive. Generally speaking, a site type is not a good indicator for a site’s worthiness
as part of the research process.
4. Accuracy and verifiability of webpage content
Remember, verifying the author and publisher of a webpage is a first step in finding
accurate and reliable information. However, one must also read and review the
content and look for cues that might indicate the level of accuracy beyond just the
author or sponsor of a webpage.
Visit a site like www.nationalgeographic.com, and lead students through the
following discussion:
♦ If you were doing a research project about animals, would this site give you any
indication that it provides accurate information? How would you know?
♦ Is this a site you’ve heard of before? Is the site part of a larger organization that you
would consider a trusted source?
♦ In case you’d like to ask the author for additional information, is there contact
information on the site?
♦ If there are photos or other media files, are they current? Do they make sense relative
to the text found on the page?
♦ Do you find correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
♦ Are there references to other work or research or to other credible sites?
♦ Are the hyperlinks on the page still active?
♦ Do the hyperlinks point to other sites that also appear accurate?
♦ Generally speaking, would you feel comfortable making research decisions based on
what you read at this site?
Visit us on the web at www.microsoft.com/education/criticalthinking.
Microsoft and Bing are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2010 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.