Check Your Evaluation:

The best source of the four linked sites is Pocahontas: Virtual Jamestown, the site supported by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Research Project, and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy.

Using the evaluation rubric, Pocahontas: Virtual Jamestown rated higher in accuracy, authority of source, objectivity, and coverage than the other sources.

Pocahontas from the Microsoft Encarta site provided only superficial information on Pocahontas and therefore scored lower in coverage (depth of topics covered.)

Pocahontas Myth presented information from a specific viewpoint and therefore had a lower objectivity rating.

Pocahontas Chronology, from the Gloucester County, Virginia website, focuses on the yearly dates and locations of important events, with particular emphasis on saving Captain John Smith's life. There are few details of her life other than a brief description of what happened in what year. Therefore, the coverage score was rated lower.

Remember: all sources should be cross checked against other sources, whether information is from text, CD-ROM, laserdisc, video, or Web pages. It is always a safe idea to triangulate your information--which mean to gather information from at least three different sources. By gathering information from several different perspectives, you are more apt to make informed judgments about what information to use in your reports and projects.