SOC302 Project 1: Evaluating Internet Sites

Purpose: This exercise is designed to obtain, document, and assess information about a religious group on the Internet.

Instructions: Select two Internet sites that contain information about the religious group or phenomenon you give your presentation and write your paper on (see Presentation/Paper Assignment). You must choose the same group or phenomenon unless you have obtained my approval for a change. Write a review of each site using the guidelines below and the review of the Electronic Frontier Foundation provided to you as an example.

Format: A short report containing two reviews. Each review needs to be at least 500 words in length, typed, double spaced, and stapled, and to have one-inch margins and use 12 point font. Include a word count and all printouts.

Audience: Other students in this class. (They should be able to understand it just by reading your report and by looking at the printouts.)

	choice of sites;
	clarity of report;
	thoroughness of documentation; and
	assessment of information.

Due: See syllabus.

1. After you select your site, put its title and URL at the top of the page. Print out the site’s web pages that contain relevant information. Enclose them with each review.
2. Begin you review by identifying the site’s purpose and its creator/sponsor (see review of the Electronic Frontier Foundation for an example). If no author or sponsoring organization is listed, there is no way to ascertain the quality of the document. Are there any credentials listed that establish credibility? Is there any indication that the individual/organization has expert knowledge about the topic? Is there indication of bias that the individual/organization might have toward the topic?
3. What information is provided? What are the criteria for including information at the site? Are the documents collected for a stated reason? Do the documents/texts offer a balanced viewpoint? Do they cite or refer to sources for evidence they offer to support their arguments?
4. How is the information presented? Is the site technologically sophisticated? How often is the information updated? Does the site have an index, a search page, or email links to find information or to contact the creators/sponsors?
5. What are the site’s major strengths/weaknesses? What is your overall evaluation of the site?