Evaluating A Web Site with Library Resources

1) Authorship/Affiliation

• Is the author's name listed?

• What are his/her credentials? Do these identify him/her as an authority in the field?

• Is his/her institutional affiliation listed and a link to the home page of that institution given? Is the relationship between the institution and the author clear?

• Does the author list his e-mail and/or snail mail address? Is a phone number listed?

• Is there a link to his/her biographical information?

General comments: The authority is often difficult to determine. Many times the list of qualifications is absent and no link available to a home page. On the web, the home page is the sponsor (publisher in the traditional setting).

2) Accuracy

• Is the information reliable and free from errors?

• Is a bibliography included to verify the information?

• Is it clear who is responsible for the accuracy of the material?

• Are there links to other reliable resources?

• If statistical material is included, are the sources for these materials clearly stated?

General comments: Anyone can publish a web page. At this point there are no web standards and no type of control is in place.

3) Objectivity

• Is the information presented with the least possible bias?

• Is the site factual or does the author try to change the user's mind?

• Is imagery used to sway the opinion of the user?

General comments: Web pages seldom state the goal/aim of the author. Many times a web page is only a sounding board for a person. Advertisement on web pages should be clearly differentiated from the actual information content.

4) Currency

• Is the date of the latest revision of the web site clearly stated?

• Is the date given at which the information was gathered?

• Is the page kept current?

• Are the links current, i.e. do they work?

• If applicable: is this truly the latest information on the topic?

5) Coverage

• Is the scope of the topic clearly stated?

• Is the site comprehensive?

• Are supporting materials given, i.e. bibliography, charts and/or graphics?

• Are there links to other resources of the topic?

• Is the site still under construction?

General comments: It is difficult to determine the coverage of a web site. One often has to browse around in a given resource to guess at the extent of coverage.

6) Other factors to consider regarding web sites:

• Do the graphics/arts serve a purpose or are they strictly decorative?

• Do the icons show what they represent?

• Is encryption provided for private information?

• Are the lines between information and advertisement distinct?

• Do the linked pages differ in quality from the original page?

• Does the site provide direct links to the cited documents?

• Is special software needed to access the information?

• Is the site easy to navigate? i.e. are the frames clearly outlined and workable?

• Always examine the URL. The domain gives you information about the authority of the source. (.edu; .com; .org.; .gov; .....) It will tell you if the institution has a stake in the information.

• Can you contact the Webmaster via e-mail?

Other Web Evaluation Sites

Evaluating Internet Research Resources - a detailed guide to evaluating web sites. The guide was done by Robert Harris from Southern California College.