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Accuracy
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Although it appears that the author may have the
background, he seems to be "paid" consultant for the company that is the
host web site for this web page.We
want to investigate if the accounts/information are accurate, as this seems
to be an endorsement of the human growth hormone for use, giving facts
as evidence to use this drug.
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Authority
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The author was found, but we had to look through
several web pages to be sure that he was the author.There
are references made to various doctors on the web site, which would lead
one to believe at a glance that perhaps, they were the contributors.Again,
due to the fact that this appears to be part of a manufacturers' home page
for other products (reference is made to "shopping cart"), we believe this
would have the same amount of authority as going to Nike and finding information
written about the material that is used in sneakers written by Michael
Jordan.
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Objectivity
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The objectivity is in question, due to the link
with the manufacturer of the hormone.A
financial stake is present in giving ALL the information about this drug.There
is no mention of side effects or research demonstrating problems occurring
with this medication (that could be found easily).
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Currency
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The publish date of the site is unclear but from
most recent articles the site appears to be about two years old.The
most recent reference article was
published in 1999.
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Coverage
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Coverage is incomplete with many pros, not enough
cons.
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Accuracy
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No real information was actually on the web page.There
were links to other web pages that were very slanted again human test subjects.Some
of the links did not work or were no longer in service.A
few of the links were web pages that were government sources.
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Authority
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No author is specified.It
appears to be a link to another web site.When
the web site was brought up, lists of other information was given.
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Objectivity
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The web pages were depicting extremes of human test
subjects involved in government activities.There
was no mention of any studies which have brought about positive results
(such as drug trials for cancer drugs).
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Currency
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No publish date was provided, but by using the most
recent reference article the site seemed to be about six years old.
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Coverage
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The web site only had links to other web sites.If
this is for use in research assignment, the student should find the information
when the web site URL is put in and the student should not have to click
on other links to find information.This
could send a message to the student that it is okay to "surf around", leading
to off task behavior on the computer.
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Accuracy
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The information is probably accurate, as the sources
are from the government, various periodicals (newspapers, etc.)
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Authority
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The author is clear.His
credentials are easily found and legitimate.
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Objectivity
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It seems that his articles are a bit slanted towards
one opinion, like an editorial.Although
he has worked at the newspapers mentioned in the article and probably had
direct access to the topics, there could be an "ax" to grind with this
(why is he a consultant, now, instead working at those newspapers?)Perhaps,
there is another "side" of the issue that may be omitted.
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Currency
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The article is clearly labeled with a February 1997
publish date.
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Coverage
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It seems a little slanted towards what seems to
be the author's point of view for this topic.
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Can
these sites be used for classroom use?The
site on human growth hormone would not be appropriate for classroom use
because it has a commercial agenda and therefore profit and not education
is the site's objective.However,
some of the information on human growth hormone may be accurate and usable,
but it should perhaps be verified through another source, as it may be
incomplete. The human test subject site only provides links and therefore
these sites must be evaluated separately.Because
this site fails to meet some minimum criteria like author and publish date
reporting I would not provide this site as a resource for students.However
if this site were used by students to get to better sources that would
be an acceptable use. Again, the source links included do not provide
a complete picture of the topic of human test subjects and should be used
with caution, as they are linked to organizations which are looking at
the negative uses of this.Finally,the
last site on accuracy in reporting did pass the minimum requirements.Even
though the site seemed to be heavy with conspiracy arguments the author
seemed to be an experienced reporter and therefore without further digging
I would provide this site as a resource for my students.