TY - JOUR
T1 - How students evaluate information and sources when searching the World Wide Web for information
AU - Walraven, Amber
AU - Brand-Gruwel, Saskia
AU - Boshuizen, Henny P.A.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - The World Wide Web (WWW) has become the biggest information source for students while solving information problems for school projects. Since anyone can post anything on the WWW, information is often unreliable or incomplete, and it is important to evaluate sources and information before using them. Earlier research has shown that students have difficulties with evaluating sources and information. This study investigates the criteria secondary educational students use while searching the Web for information. 23 students solved two information problems while thinking aloud. After completing the tasks they were interviewed in groups on their use of criteria. Results show that students do not evaluate results, source and information very often. The criteria students mention when asked which criteria are important for evaluating information are not always the same criteria they mention while solving the information problems. They mentioned more criteria but also admitted not always using these criteria while searching the Web.
AB - The World Wide Web (WWW) has become the biggest information source for students while solving information problems for school projects. Since anyone can post anything on the WWW, information is often unreliable or incomplete, and it is important to evaluate sources and information before using them. Earlier research has shown that students have difficulties with evaluating sources and information. This study investigates the criteria secondary educational students use while searching the Web for information. 23 students solved two information problems while thinking aloud. After completing the tasks they were interviewed in groups on their use of criteria. Results show that students do not evaluate results, source and information very often. The criteria students mention when asked which criteria are important for evaluating information are not always the same criteria they mention while solving the information problems. They mentioned more criteria but also admitted not always using these criteria while searching the Web.
KW - IR-60704
U2 - 10.1016/j.compedu.2008.08.003
DO - 10.1016/j.compedu.2008.08.003
M3 - Article
SN - 0360-1315
VL - 52
SP - 234
EP - 246
JO - Computers & education
JF - Computers & education
IS - 1
ER -