Identifying 'Fishy' Websites

    In the July 6 class, we were each assigned a website to evaluate its reliability. The website I was assigned to was called "Feline Reactions to Bearded Men," which focused on a research study about how cats behave when shown pictures of bearded men. Initially, the website seemed credible as it had a well-formatted layout and mentioned obtaining permission from a museum to reproduce certain materials for the research report. It provided clear information about the methods, materials, and results of the experiment, which made it appear legitimate.

    However, as I delved deeper into the website, I discovered some red flags. The bibliography section included irrelevant sources such as "Quant, Mary, 'Cat Responses to Bangs,' in Tonsological Proceedings, May 1965, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 251-262" and "Seuss, Doctor, 'Feline Responses to Hats,' in Veterinary Developmental Studies, July 1955, vol. 32, no. 7, pp. 54-62." Notably, Mary Quant is a fashion designer, and "Seuss, Doctor" refers to Dr. Seuss, a renowned children's author known for "The Cat in the Hat." This raised concerns about the website's credibility and made it appear less serious.
    Furthermore, I uncovered evidence of academic record falsification by the authors of the website. When I searched for their names on Google, none of the results were related to their alleged affiliations mentioned on the website. For instance, Catherine Maloney was claimed to be associated with Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, but my search yielded no evidence of her working there. This discovery strongly suggested that the authors had misrepresented their credentials.
    This experience emphasized the importance of critically evaluating the sources and credibility of websites, even if they are well-designed and initially seem legitimate. It serves as a reminder that well-crafted websites can still disseminate false information. Being thorough and vigilant in verifying the sources behind online content is essential to ensure reliable and accurate information.


Published by Rina


Source

Hotair - Feline reactions to bearded men. (n.d.). (https://improbable.com/airchives/classical/cat/cat.html), accessed July 13, 2023


Eavi. (2021, June 17). Infographic: Beyond Fake News – 10 Types of Misleading News – 17 Languages and counting - EAVI. EAVI. (https://eavi.eu/infographic-beyond-fake-news-10-types-of-misleading-news-17-languages/)

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