Background Information: The Internet has allowed vast amounts of information to be shared among the world's population in a way never before possible. This extraordinary access to instant information is fantastic but it has its drawbacks. Students should be cautious before accepting information found on the Internet as fact. Before you begin your research, you should take the time to read this short article from the Association of College and Research Libraries about what to look for when determining the reliability of a web site you have found. The article contains a summary chart with bullet point questions to help you. The criteria for judging your sources will be the following.

• Accuracy
• Authority
• Objectivity
• Currency
• Coverage

After reading the article, refer to the graph from Swivel about iPod sales. Swivel cites their information from several sources. Visit those sources and determine how reliable the sources may be. Would you consider the information from Swivel accurate and reliable? Why or why not? You will need to be able to defend your position when you complete your data analysis.

Criteria and Constraints:

• Your analysis must contain data presented in a chart or table with a graph accompanying the data.
• Your must indicate what trend for your technology you see and use the data you gathered to support your conclusion.
• You must defend your information reliability using the web site evaluation criteria from the Association of College and Research Libraries as part of your presentation of the data and trends.