Begley Library Guide to 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?