PRESENTATION

IRLS 622 - Verifiable Information
Fall 2002
Don Fallis

The lectures and the assigned readings only scratch the surface of how to verify the accuracy of (recorded) information. In the last few weeks of the semester, groups of four will give presentations on this topic. The idea is that, through these group presentations, we will all get an even broader exposure to this field than the lectures and the assigned readings provide.

There are a couple of possibilities for this assignment. First, you can do a more in-depth investigation of some topic that is covered only briefly on the syllabus. Second, you can investigate some topic that is not covered on the syllabus. Either way, you will need to find references that go beyond those cited on the syllabus.

Possible Content

Here is a list of some possible research topics. However, I am also eager to hear your suggestions.

You might want to investigate how much inaccurate information there is on the Internet. For example, what is the ratio of accurate information to inaccurate information on some given topic? Which topics are most susceptible to inaccurate information?
You might want to compare the problem of verifying the accuracy of information on the Internet with the problem of verifying the accuracy of information from other sources. For example, is print publishing less susceptible to inaccurate information than the Internet?
You might want to look at the solutions to this problem have already been implemented on the Internet. In particular, has anything been done besides teaching people how to evaluate web sites? For example, have any web site designers tried to make their information more verifiable? Also, what solutions to this problem have been implemented for other information sources?
You might want to look at the research on this problem that has already been done in the field of information science. Also, what relevant research has been done in other academic fields?
You might want to look at the attempts that have been made to solve similar problems. For instance, as I point out in the Course Description, the problem of verifying the accuracy of information is analogous to the problem of verifying the authenticity of currency. What lessons can we take from such research and apply to the problem of verifying the accuracy of information?
You might want to propose a brand new technique for increasing the verifiability of information.

Note: Keep in mind that we are not going to be interested in what the facts are in a particular subject area. Instead, we are going to be interested in what techniques make it easier for people to determine what the facts are in that subject area (and other subject areas).

Details

The group presentations will be web sites that will be hosted on WebCT. Each group should think of their presentation as their own virtual lecture. Among other things, this means that group members should respond to questions and comments about their presentation. In fact, as part of the group presentation grade, each student must post a question or a comment about at least three of the other presentations.

You will create your presentation in collaboration with three other members of the class. You can choose your own partners. In order to facilitate the formation of groups, I have set up a “Forming Groups” discussion forum. So, you could form a group by, for example, sending a message expressing your interest in a particular topic and asking who else might have similar interests. In addition, I have included the “Chat” facility on the WebCT Homepage for this class. The “Chat” facility may also come in handy when you are working on your presentations. Also, I can create a private discussion forum for the members of your group.

Let me know when you have formed a group and I will create web space for your group in the “Presentations” area. This is where the presentations will be posted. In addition, I will create a public discussion forum for the class to discuss your group’s presentation.

Let me know once your group has settled on a topic. Each group must get my approval on the topic of its presentation.

The presentations will take place during the last few weeks of the semester. Each group will post their presentation on a different day. The presentation must be posted by midnight MST on the designated day. That way the rest of the class will be able to access the presentation on the following day.

Groups can sign up for any of the following dates: November 15, November 18, November 20, November 22, November 25, December 2, December 4, December 6, December 9. Once you have consulted with the other members of your group, one of you should send me a message via WebCT Mail with at least a couple of possible dates. I will try to accommodate everyone's preferences as well as I can.

Contact Samanthi Hewakapuge if you have technical problems with WebCT (e.g., if you have trouble posting your presentation to WebCT, if you have trouble contacting the other members of your group, etc.).

Please send me questions about this assignment via the "Group Presentation Questions" forum or via my WebCT Mail.

Note: I do understand that group presentations, especially in a virtual course, present certain difficulties. Let me know if you are having any problems.