How do online communities evaluate quality?

There is no denying advances in technology have provided ways for almost anyone, proving they have the tools, to publish documents on the web. This issues us with a number of questions as to the quality and accuracy of information available. Evaluation of this information is essential in todays world to ensure that the information you are accessing is accurate.

Common sense is probably the most powerful tool that can be used in evaluating the quality of online content. If it so happens you stumble across information online which seems shockingly unbelieveable, you are probably right -it is likely to be false. Sites such as The Onion, describing itself as America's finest news source, appears at first glance to be a credible news site. Closer inspection revealse otherwise. The May 7, 2008 healine, Pope Returns To Vatican With Comprehensive Plan To Blow Up United States provides a prime example. Online content requires common sense to filter through the vast array of information available.

If we were sourcing a book for an assignment, along with our common sense we more often than not we evaluate it against a set of critera- we question the accuracy, authority, currency and scope of the book. The same goes for online content. Ratings and comments are often good determiners of how viable the information at hand actually is. To evaluate its quality it is helpful to apply the content to the CARS (Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness and Support) criteria.

Credibility:
- Does the author have any credentials?

Accuracy:
- Is the document presenting error free information?

Reasonableness:
- Does the article document present a fair statement?
- Does it provide a balanced article?

Support:
- Does the document provide any backup to its argument or opinion?
- Is other information available to support the ideas presented?
- Is the article supported by outside references?