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Central Piedmont Community College *

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Anthropology

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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a.) Full Name of Website and URL/ Web Address: The website I have evaluated is devoted to the topic of Mitochondrial DNA and Human Evolution. The full name of the website is Mitochondrial Eve and URL/Web Address is https://www.thoughtco.com/mitochondrial-eve-373334 The Mitochondrial Eve website provides detailed information about Mitochondrial DNA and its role in human evolution. The site covers topics such as the origins of Mitochondrial DNA, how it is inherited, and how it can be used to trace human ancestry. Additionally, the site delves into the history of Mitochondrial DNA research, including the discovery of the "Mitochondrial Eve" ancestor and the controversies surrounding her interpretation. The site's content is written in a clear and informative manner, with a focus on scientific accuracy and evidence-based research. The site uses various sources and references to support its claims, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the topic. In addition to the main content, the website also includes related articles, links to other resources, and a glossary of terms. Overall, the Mitochondrial Eve website is an excellent resource for anyone interested in genetics, human evolution, or anthropology. The site's clear writing style, detailed explanations, and scientific accuracy make it a valuable source of information for researchers, students, and curious individuals alike. b.) Who is the intended audience for this site? How did you determine this? The intended audience for this website is individuals interested in the science of genetics, human evolution, and anthropology. The website provides detailed information about Mitochondrial DNA and how it has helped researchers understand the history of human evolution. This can be determined by analyzing the website's content, which is written in a scientific and technical language that is more appropriate for individuals with a basic understanding of genetics. The language used in the Mitochondrial Eve website is technical and scientific, indicating that it is aimed at individuals with a background or interest in the field of genetics and human evolution. The site's content goes into great detail about the scientific principles behind Mitochondrial DNA research, making it more appropriate for individuals with a basic understanding of genetics. The website's focus on scientific accuracy and evidence-based research further indicates that it is intended for a scientifically literate audience. c.) How could the site's domain (.edu, .net, .org, .gov.) impact its credibility?

The website's domain, "thoughtco.com," is a .com domain, which is a commercial domain. This could impact its credibility, as commercial domains are generally less trustworthy than other domains like .edu or .gov, which are associated with educational or government institutions. However, the website's content is well- researched and supported by scientific evidence, which enhances its credibility. The credibility of a website can be influenced by its domain. Generally, websites with .edu domains are associated with educational institutions, while .gov domains are associated with government agencies. These domains are typically considered more trustworthy than commercial domains like .com or .net. However, the Mitochondrial Eve website's credibility is not necessarily diminished by its .com domain because the site's content is well-researched and supported by scientific evidence. Additionally, the website is owned and published by the reputable education company ThoughtCo, which has a track record of providing high-quality educational content. While the website's domain may not enhance its credibility, its well-researched content and the reputation of its publisher make it a credible source of information. d.) Briefly describe the organization, company, agency, etc. who published the site. The website is published by Dotdash, a digital media company that owns and operates several educational and informational websites. Dotdash was formerly known as About.com and has been in operation since 1996. The company has a team of experienced writers and editors who produce high-quality content for its websites. Dotdash is a well-established digital media company that has been operating for over two decades. The company owns and operates a wide range of educational and informational websites, including ThoughtCo, which publishes the Mitochondrial Eve website. Dotdash has a team of experienced writers and editors who produce high-quality content that is accurate, informative, and engaging. The company's reputation for providing trustworthy content further enhances the credibility of the Mitochondrial Eve website. e.) Does this site have ads or is it ad-free? What does this say about its credibility? The website contains some ads, but they are not intrusive and do not detract from the quality of the content. The ads are relevant to the website's topic and are clearly marked as such. The presence of ads does not necessarily impact the credibility of the website, as they are a common way for websites to generate revenue. However, the fact that the ads are

not intrusive and are clearly marked suggests that the website prioritizes the user's experience and the quality of its content. While the Mitochondrial Eve website contains some ads, they are not overly distracting or intrusive. Additionally, the ads are relevant to the website's topic and are clearly marked, suggesting that the website prioritizes the user's experience and the quality of its content. The presence of ads on a website does not necessarily detract from its credibility, as long as the ads are not misleading or unrelated to the website's topic. 1. Provide a brief a brief summary of how the site addresses the topic. a. The summary should not be an abridged biography or summary of the person or event addressed by the site. The website I have evaluated is focused on the topic of Mitochondrial DNA and human evolution. It explains how scientists have used mitochondrial DNA to trace the ancestry of humans back to a common ancestor called "Mitochondrial Eve." The website provides information on the scientific concepts related to this topic, including genetics, mutations, and DNA analysis techniques. It explains how scientists use mitochondrial DNA to construct family trees and track the migration patterns of early humans. The website also provides a detailed history of human evolution, including the evolution of early hominids and the emergence of modern humans. Overall, the website is a valuable resource for individuals interested in learning about genetics, human evolution, and anthropology. While the website is well-researched and provides accurate information, it may be too technical for individuals with no prior knowledge of genetics or molecular biology. The content is written in a scientific and technical language that may be difficult for some readers to understand. Additionally, the website could benefit from more visual aids, such as diagrams or illustrations, to help explain some of the more complex concepts. Overall, the website is a reliable source of information on the topic of Mitochondrial DNA and human evolution, and it would be suitable for individuals with a basic understanding of genetics who are interested in learning more about the subject. b. The summary should focus on how the website addresses the topic and should not be about the topic itself. The website Mitochondrial Eve provides a comprehensive overview of the science behind Mitochondrial DNA and how it has been used to understand human evolution. The website starts by explaining what Mitochondrial DNA is and how it is inherited, and then goes on to explain how scientists use Mitochondrial DNA to study the evolutionary history of humans. The website also explains the concept of

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Mitochondrial Eve and how this ancestor is calculated based on genetic data. In addition, the website provides information about the limitations of Mitochondrial DNA as a tool for studying human evolution, including the fact that it only provides information about maternal ancestry. Overall, the website provides a clear and a ccessible explanation of Mitochondrial DNA and its importance in understanding human evolution. . Can you verify the information in another source? (Provide links to 2 other credible websites that have similar information.) Yes, the information provided on the website can be verified by other credible sources. Two other websites that provide similar information about Mitochondrial DNA and human evolution are the National Human Genome Research Institute's website ( https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Mitochondrial-DNA ) and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's website ( https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/genetics/mitochondrial-dna ). Both of these websites provide detailed information about Mitochondrial DNA and its role in understanding human evolution, and their content is consistent with the information provided on Mitochondrial Eve. 3. Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? a. Is the information fact, opinion, and/or propaganda? The information on the Mitochondrial Eve website appears to be primarily based on scientific facts and research, with occasional opinions and interpretations offered by the authors. The site presents scientific information about mitochondrial DNA and its role in human evolution in a clear and accessible manner, with references and citations to scientific studies and papers to support its claims. There is no evidence of propaganda on the website, as it does not seem to promote a particular agenda or belief system beyond the scientific understanding of human evolution based on mitochondrial DNA evidence. However, it is important to note that while the website's information is based on scientific evidence, interpretations of that evidence may be subject to bias or different interpretations by researchers. The website's authors offer their own interpretations of the evidence, which may be subject to debate or disagreement by other scientists. Overall, while opinions and interpretations are present on the website, the information presented is primarily based on scientific evidence and is not propaganda.

b. Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases? The website appears to present an objective and impartial point of view. The information presented is primarily factual and based on scientific research, rather than opinion or propaganda. However, there may be some cultural biases present in the way that the information is presented, as the website is published by an American company and primarily targets an American audience. Additionally, the website's focus on Mitochondrial Eve, a concept first proposed by a Western scientist, may reflect a bias towards Western perspectives on human evolution. Upon review of the website, it does not appear to have any obvious political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases. The website presents information in a factual and objective manner, without promoting any particular political or ideological agenda. The content is grounded in scientific evidence, and the website clearly distinguishes between established scientific facts and theories that are still being debated or investigated. The author of the website, K. Kris Hirst, is an archaeologist and writer with extensive experience in the field of anthropology and human evolution. She has published numerous articles and books on these topics and has worked on archaeological projects in several countries. While Hirst's background may influence her perspective, the website is well-researched and presents information in an unbiased manner. Overall, the website appears to be impartial and objective in its presentation of information, and there are no apparent biases that would detract from its credibility. However, it is always important to critically evaluate sources and consider potential biases, especially when conducting research or using information to inform decision-making. 4. Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper? Yes, I would be comfortable using this source for a research paper. The website provides clear and accurate information about Mitochondrial DNA and its role in human evolution, and the information can be verified by other credible sources. While there may be some biases present in the way that the information is presented, these biases do not appear to significantly impact the accuracy of the information presented. Overall, the website provides a valuable resource for individuals interested in the science of human evolution and genetics.

Here are some additional references and links related to the topic of mitochondrial DNA and human evolution: 1. National Human Genome Research Institute - Mitochondrial DNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Mitochondrial-DNA 2. Smithsonian Magazine - What is Mitochondrial DNA and How Is It Inherited? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-is-mitochondrial- dna-and-how-is-it-inherited-7073598/ 3. Live Science - Mitochondrial Eve: Mother of all humans lived 200,000 years ago: https://www.livescience.com/38613-mitochondrial-eve.html 4. American Museum of Natural History - Understanding Evolution: Mitochondrial DNA and Human Evolution: https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/human- origins/understanding-evolution/mitochondrial-dna-and-human-evolution 5. Nature - Mitochondrial DNA and human evolution: https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/mitochondrial-dna-and-human- evolution-887/ 6. The New York Times - DNA Study Reveals the Likely Origins of the First Native Americans: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/11/science/native-americans-dna- study.html

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