1	CARS Evaluation Career Websites
2	Table of Contents CARS Evaluation Criteria Definitions * Credibility * Accuracy * Reasonableness * Support Evaluation of Career Websites Resources
3	CARS Evaluation Criteria Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support
4	CARS Evaluation What is it? Why do we use it? There is a great deal of information available on the Internet. Practically anyone can write and post information, whether accurate or not. Individuals can easily exchange ideas, and it is definitely a convenient way to obtain information when conducting research. By the same token, it is also difficult to monitor the quality of the information found on web sites. In order to better evaluate the type of information you encounter, certain criteria are set up to allow you to be more critical of these websites. They are called CARS, namely Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, and Support.
5	Credibility Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her? What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced? Is this person qualified to write this document? What is the evidence of quality control?
6	Accuracy When was the information produced and last updated? Are the links working? How comprehensive is the document? Is the information popular or scholarly in nature?
7	Reasonableness What goals/objectives does this page meet? How detailed is the information? Is the page associated with some form of advertising?
8	Support Is the information free Is the information presented cited correctly? Are supporting links on the topic provided? Is additional software required to view the site or access its information? Is viewing options recommended or available?
9	Career Website #1 Learning Objective: To obtain information about the nursing profession. Title of the Web Site: About Nursing URL: http://nursing.about.com MLA Entry: Quan, Kathy. “Before You Decide to Become a Nurse. About Nursing, May 14, 2007 <”http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/bb/beforenurse.htm> Crebility The purpose of this website is to provide information on nursing.The information is written by Kathy Quan. She is an RN BSN PHN who has 30 years of experience in nursing, mostly in home health care. She can be contacted via email: nursing.guide@about.com. While the author has a degree nursing, the website does indicate that the information provided is for personal, non-commercial, educationaland information purposes only and that professional advise should be obtained. Accuracy The date when the information was updated is not available, but the links provided are working. The document is not that comprehensive. The information is popular in nature. No clear resources or bibliographies are cited. Reasonableness The goal of the website is to provide some information on nursing, which it does, however, it is not comprehensive and sources are not cited. In addition, the website has advertisements. Support The information is provided for free. The information provided are not cited properly, and there are no viewing or printing options available.
10	Career Website #2 Learning Objective: To obtain information about the nursing profession. Title of the Web Site: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook URL: www.bls.gov/oco MLA Entry: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Registered Nurses.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition. May 14, 2007 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm Crebility The information is produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their contact information is as follows: Postal Square Building, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, DC 20212,0001, Phone: (202) 691-5200.The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a fact finding agency for the Federal Government in the field of labor economics and statistics. It collects, processes, analyzes and distributes statistical data to the American public, US Congress, Federal, State and local governments, and business.The BLS agency is qualified to write this document.The BLS agency’s mission include making sure that the information or data they provide satisfy several criteria including accuracy, impartiality, and relevance to current social and economic issues. . Accuracy Different areas of the website were updated at different times. The OCCUPATION category which is where you can obtain information about specific careers was last updated in December 13, 2006. The links provided are working. The document is very comprehensive. It offers a variety of information such as occupation descriptions, earnings, benefits, demographics, projected growth, and so forth.The information is scholarly. These are data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Reasonableness The goal of the website is clear and meets my objectives which is to provide career information as well as labor statistical data.The information provided is very detailed. This website does not have advertisements or pop-ups. . Support The information is provided free of charge. They information provided are cited and presented correctly Extensive resources and supporting links on the topic are provided. Options for downloading and printing are provided. The document can be viewed and printed as a PDF or in HTML.
11	Career Website #3 Learning Objective: To obtain information about the nursing profession. Title of the Web Site: Eureka URL: www.eureka.org MLA Entry: EUREKA, “Registered Nurse. Occupations, 2007. May 14, 2007 < http://eureka.org/careers/career_detail.asp?id=81620> Crebility The information in EUREKA are written by professional staff in the field of career and educational information and delivery. Their contact information is as follows: EUREKA, the California Career Information System, PO Box 647 Richmond, CA 94808, (51) 669-0996. The purpose is to provide better career counseling services to California students via computerized career information system. The authors are qualified to write this document. EUREKA’s mission is to develop and provide high quality occupational and educational information. They make sure that the information or data they provide is accurate, current, complete and relevant. Accuracy The date when the information was updated is not available, but the links provided are working. The document is very comprehensive. Its research includes Local, National, and International career and educational Information. The information is scholarly. These are data gathered by professionals in the field of career and education. Reasonableness The goal of the website is clear and meets my objectives which is to provide career information. The information provided is comprehensive, understandable, specific, relevant, and current. This website does not have advertisements or pop-ups. Support The information is provided for a fee. There are different subscription package for individuals, schools, agencies, and businesses. The information provided are cited and presented correctly. Extensive resources and supporting links on the topic are provided. HTML version for printing is available.
12	Career Website #4 Learning Objective: To obtain information about the nursing profession. Title of the Web Site: Career Zone URL: http://nycareerzone.org MLA Entry: New York State Department of Labor, Division of Research and Statistics. ” Registered Nurse. “ New York Career Zone. May 14, 2007 <http://nycareerzone.org/text/profile.jsp;jsessionid=0001yM9AVw6dDpdm9n_08HCb0C0:-1?onetsoc=29-1111.00&base=cluster.jsp&qs=cluster%3D4> Crebility The information is provided and reviewed by professionals in the areas of labor market information, career development, training, counseling and computer applications. Contact information is as follows: New York State Department of LaborDivision of Research and StatisticsState Office Building Campus Bldg. 12, Room 490 Albany, NY 12240,1-877-226-5724. The purpose is to provide information on careers exploration and planning specifically for New York State students. The authors are qualified to write this document and There is some evidence of quality control. Accuracy The date when the information was updated is not available. The links provided are working. The document is not that comprehensive and there is no clear resources or bibliographies cited. Reasonableness The goal of the website is to provide some information on careers in different areas. It does provide information on health careers, however, it is not comprehensive and the sources are not cited.This website does not have advertisements. Support The information is provided for a fee. The information provided are not cited properly.There are no viewing or printing options available.
13	Career Website #5 Learning Objective: To obtain information about the nursing profession. Title of the Web Site: Student Doc Medical Student’s Resource Guide URL: www.studentdoc.com MLA Entry: “Nursing Degrees.” Student Doc Medical Student’s Resource Guide. May 14, 2007. <http://www.studentdoc.com/nursing-degree.html> Crebility No author is provided, only an email address for feedback, which is editor@studentdoc.com. The purpose is to provide information on careers in health and law.The author is not listed and it unclear what institution supports the information provided. There is no apparent evidence of quality control. Accuracy The date when the information was updated is not available. The links provided are working. The document is not that comprehensive. The information is popular in nature. No clear resources or bibliographies are cited. Reasonableness The goal of the website is to provide some information on careers in health and law. It does provide information on health careers, however, it is not comprehensive and the sources are not cited. This website does have a great deal of advertisements. Support The information is provided for a fee. The information provided are not cited properly, and there are no viewing or printing options available.
14	References Queen’s University Library, 2004, 11 June 2004, <http://library.queensu.ca/inforef/guides/evalchart.htm>. University of British Columbia Library, 2004. 3 May 2004, <http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/evaluation/>. Quan, Kathy. “Before You Decide to Become a Nurse. About Nursing, May 14, 2007 <”http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/bb/beforenurse.htm> Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Registered Nurses.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition. May 14, 2007 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm EUREKA, “Registered Nurse. Occupations, 2007. May 14, 2007 < http://eureka.org/careers/career_detail.asp?id=81620> New York State Department of Labor, Division of Research and Statistics. ” Registered Nurse. “ New York Career Zone. May 14, 2007 http://nycareerzone.org/text/profile.jsp;jsessionid=0001yM9AVw6dDpdm9n_08HCb0C0:-1?onetsoc=29-1111.00&base=cluster.jsp&qs=cluster%3D4 “Nursing Degrees.” Student Doc Medical Student’s Resource Guide. May 14, 2007. http://www.studentdoc.com/nursing-degree.html