Website evaluation

Why it is important to evaluate Internet sites?

• Anyone can create and publish a website, regardless of subject expertise or knowledge

• Professional looking sites are easy to create thanks to webpage creation software

• No standards exist to ensure the quality and accuracy of information on a webpage

• No review process for websites like those required for Academic print and electronic resources

• Well-known trustworthy news sites sometime repost blog entries with out their usual fact-checking

• Many websites are created to persuade people by playing on personal bias, fear, or other strong emotions

Currency:

Copyright or last revised date?

Is the information on the webpage outdated?

Do the links work?

Authority:

Is there an author for the webpage?

Is the owner/sponsor of the website reputable? (look for an “About Us” link)

Are references and/or credentials provided?

Accuracy:

Is there an explanation of the research methods used?

Are other credible sources of information referred to within the text of the webpage?

Do other sources confirm the information on this site?

Purpose:

Is the information fact? Opinion? Propaganda?

Is the information similar to other information you have found or radically different?

Is there advertising on the site? More ads than content?

Relevance:

Does the information add to or support your research?

Does the site provide additional links that are also useful?

Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you will use?

Site ranking:

  Credible website: If you answered "yes" or were able to locate the answers for most of the questions

!    Red flag website: If you answered "no" or were not able to locate the answers for most the questions