|
Evaluation
Criteria
Use the following questions to critically
evaluate print and Web based information:
|
| Author
or authority |
Who
is the author?
Is she or he affiliated with a reputable university or organization?
What is the author's educational background or experience?
What is their area of expertise?
Has the author published in scholarly or peer reviewed
publications?
Does the author/Web master provide contact information? |
| Accuracy
or credibility |
Is
the information provided based on proven facts?
Is it published in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?
Have you found similar information in a scholarly or
peer-reviewed publication? |
| Coverage
or relevance |
Does
the information covered meet your information needs?
Is the coverage basic or comprehensive?
Is there an "About Us" link that explains subject
coverage?
How relevant is it to your research interests? |
| Currency |
When
was the information published?
When was the Web site was last updated.
Is timeliness important to your information need? |
| Objectivity
or bias |
How
objective or biased is the information?
What do you know about who is publishing this information?
Is there a political, social or commercial agenda?
Does the information try to inform or persuade?
How balanced is the presentation on opposing perspectives?
What is the tone of language used (angry, sarcastic, balanced,
educated)? |
| Sources
or documentation |
Is
there a list of references or works cited?
is there a bibliography?
Is there information provided to support statements of fact?
Can you contact the author or Web master to ask for, and receive,
the sources used? |
| Publication
and Web site design |
How
well designed is the Web site?
Is the information clearly focused?
How easy to use is the information?
How easy is it to find information within the publication or
Web site?
Are the bibliographic references and links accurate, current,
credible and relevant?
Are the contact addresses for the author(s) and Web master(s)
available from the site? |
