RESEARCHING A TOPIC
Evaluating a Website
Five Criteria for Evaluating a Website
| Evaluation of Web Documents |
How to Interpret |
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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?
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Accuracy
• Make sure author provides email or contact
number
• Know the distinction between author and
webmaster
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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?
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Authority
• What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
• Where is the document published? Check URL.
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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?
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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?
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4. Currency of Web Documents
• When was it produced?
• When was it updated?
• How up to date are the links?
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Currency
• How many dead links are on the page?
• Are the links current or updated regularly?
• Is the information on the page outdated?
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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?
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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?
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• 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!