Research Writing Process (Book)

RESEARCHING A TOPIC

Evaluating a Website

Five Criteria for Evaluating a Website

Evaluation of Web Documents	How to Interpret
1. Accuracy of Web Documents • Who wrote the page and can you contact the person? • What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced? • Is this person qualified to write this document?	Accuracy • Make sure author provides email or contact number • Know the distinction between author and webmaster
2. Authority of Web Documents • Who published the document and is it separate from the “webmaster”? • Check the domain of the document, what institution publishes this document?	Authority • What credentials are listed for the author(s)? • Where is the document published? Check URL.
3. Objectivity of Web Documents • What goals/objectives does this page meet? • How detailed is the information? • What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?	Objectivity • Determine if page is a mask for advertising; if so, information might be biased. • View any web page as you an infomercial on TV. Ask yourself why this was written and by whom?
4. Currency of Web Documents • When was it produced? • When was it updated? • How up to date are the links?	Currency • How many dead links are on the page? • Are the links current or updated regularly? • Is the information on the page outdated?
5. Coverage of the Web Documents • Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the document theme? • Is it all images or a balance of text and images? • Is the information presented cited correctly?	Coverage • If page requires special software to view the information, how much are you missing if you don’t have the software? • Is it free, or is there a fee, to obtain the information? • Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?

• Accuracy – if the page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of
contacting him/her
• Authority – if the page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net)
• Objectivity – If the page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in
presenting the information
• Currency – If the page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are up
to date
• Coverage – if information can be viewed properly – not limited to fees, browser technology, or software
requirements,

THEN – YOU MAY HAVE A QUALITY WEBSITE THAT COULD BE OF VALUE TO YOUR RESEARCH!