Information Literacy - Source Evaluation Skills

The given sentence states a specific occurrence that happens every year in June and July, which indicates a factual statement. It is not an opinion because it is not expressing a personal viewpoint. It is not a rumor because it is not based on speculation or unverified information. It is not a belief because it is not based on faith or personal conviction. Therefore, the sentence is best described as a fact.

To ensure that the information on a website is current, it is necessary to know both the date the website was created and the date the information was last updated. The date the website was created will give an indication of how old the website is, while the date the information was updated will indicate when the content was last reviewed and revised. By considering both dates, one can assess the reliability and relevance of the information provided on the website.

The sentence "People should be willing to give money to help save the Great Barrier Reef" demonstrates the author's opinion about the topic rather than stating a fact. The other sentences provide factual information about the Great Barrier Reef, such as its size, visibility from space, and popularity as a tourist destination.

One way to judge the accuracy of a website's information is by checking if the sources of photographs and data are identified. When sources are provided, it allows users to verify the credibility and reliability of the information presented on the website. This helps in ensuring that the information is accurate and based on reliable sources.

The website www.teendrugabuse.org would best suit the information needs because it specifically describes how alcohol affects the teen brain. This information is directly relevant to the negative effects of alcohol on teenagers, which is the topic of interest. The other websites either focus on different aspects of alcohol addiction or do not provide information directly related to the effects of alcohol on teenagers.

The term ".com" represents the word "commercial". In the context of internet domains, ".com" is a top-level domain (TLD) used primarily for commercial websites. It is widely recognized and used by businesses and organizations around the world to indicate that their website is related to commercial activities, such as selling products or services.

The domain extension ".gov" is reserved for government websites. Government websites are generally considered to be more reliable sources of information as they are backed by official organizations and institutions. These websites are expected to provide accurate and trustworthy information as they are subject to strict regulations and oversight. Therefore, a website with the domain extension ".gov" is likely to have the most reliable information compared to websites with other domain extensions like ".com", ".org", or ".net".

Objectivity refers to the lack of bias or judgement. It means presenting information or making decisions based on facts and evidence, without personal opinions or prejudices. Being objective ensures that information is fair, impartial, and unbiased. In contrast, if someone is subjective, they are influenced by their personal beliefs, emotions, or preferences, which can lead to a lack of fairness and accuracy. Therefore, objectivity is the term that best describes the lack of bias or judgement.

The question "How many people have used the site?" will not help you evaluate the websites for your assignment on the Great Barrier Reef because the number of people who have used the site does not necessarily indicate the reliability, accuracy, or relevance of the information provided. The number of users does not determine the quality of the content or the expertise of the author. Therefore, this question is not relevant in evaluating the suitability of the websites for your assignment.

The back of the title page is where you can find the date of when the book was published. This page typically includes important information about the book, such as the title, author, publisher, and publication date. By checking the back of the title page, you can determine the currency of the information in the book and assess its relevance to your needs.

World Book Online would be the best resource to verify the accuracy of the statistic about the size of the Great Barrier Reef. World Book Online is a reputable and reliable online encyclopedia that provides accurate and verified information on various topics. It is specifically designed for educational purposes and is often used by students and researchers. Therefore, it is likely to have accurate and up-to-date information about the Great Barrier Reef, including its size.