The Source Evaluator-- Quick Tips for Locating Legitimate Information

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Hypothetical Situation:

You are researching facts about Dr. Martin Luther King for an academic presentation. Which source will be most helpful to you? Why?

http://martinlutherking.org/


or




mlk.jpg


If you followed the basic guidelines on "The Internet" page, you should have noticed that martinlutherking.org, a website that touts itself as representing "the truth about Martin Luther King: including historical trivia, articles and pictures. A valuable resource for teachers and students alike." Is actually published by a white supremacist organization much like the KKK.

At the very bottom of the homepage, in fine print, are the words "hosted by stormfront" which is a link to the hate-group's website. Immediately, one should begin to doubt the credibility of a hate-group's information on Martin Luther King, based on its very biased agenda. Another problem with this website is that it does not list sources on any page other than the first page. 

In contrast, www.thekingcenter.org has cited information about Dr. King and excepts of his works. In addition, the website is connected to the King Center, "the official, living memorial dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."  

www.thekingcenter.org is obviously the best choice for your presentation. It is affiliated with a reputable organization and gives you all of the citable information that you need.

Note that both of these sites are .org domains; one needs to verify information regardless of domain.


All website content by Alysia Belle (see reference page for citations unless noted on a specific page)
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