Evaluating Web Sites
Because anyone can create a web page, it is very important that you
carefully evaluate all information that you find on the World Wide Web.
A web page that looks good at first glance may turn out to be a 5th grader's
class project, or the publication of a highly biased political or social
organization.
The following is a guideline for evaluating informational web sites. Not
every site will meet every criteria, but the more criteria met, the better.
If you are unsure of a web site, or if you have any questions, please
ask a librarian. We will be happy to help you.
A web page is more likely to contain high quality information when you
can answer "yes" to these questions...
About the author:
- Is it clearly
stated who is the author of the web page?
- Is it clearly
stated with which organization the author is affiliated?
- Is there a link
to a page describing the purpose or mission of this organization?
- Is there a telephone
number or address where this author or organization can be reached?
- Are the authors
qualifications for writing on this topic clearly stated?
About
accuracy:
- Does the web
site present factual information?
- Are the sources
of these facts presented?
- Is there a bibliography,
a works cited list, or a list of other resources available for further
reading?
- Can these facts
be verified or proven?
- Is the information
presented in a clear, easy to read format?
- Is the page free
of spelling, grammatical and typographical errors?
About
content:
- Is the purpose
of this web page stated?
- Is the information
free of advertising?
- If there is advertising,
is it distinctly separated from the informational content?
- Are you sure
that the purpose of the web page is not to sell a product, or convince
the reader of a certain ideology?
- Does the web
page provide facts, and not opinions?
- Is the page free
from political, cultural or other biases?
About
currency:
- Are there dates
on the page to indicate :
- When the page was created?
- When the page was last revised?
- If there are
links within the page, is it clearly stated on what date each part
of the web page was last updated?
- Do the links
on the web page work?
- Is the page free
of any "under construction" notices?
Created by Carrie Laier, August 2001 |
