Criteria for Evaluating Resources on the World Wide Web.

Web sites need to be examined using the same criteria used for books and periodicals. Here is a list derived from Susan Beck's electronic article, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources:

I) Accuracy

1. Is the information you are gathering reliable and error-free?
2. Is there an editor or someone who verifies or checks the information?

Rationale
Anyone can publish anything on the Web. Unlike traditional print resources, web resources may not have editors or fact-checkers.

II) Authority

1. Is there an author?
2. Who is the author?
3. Is the page signed?
4. Is s/he an expert in the field?
5. Is there a link to information about the author or the sponsor?
6. Who is the publisher?
7. If the page includes neither a signature nor indicates a sponsor, is there any other way to determine its origin?

*** Look for a header or footer showing affiliation.

Rationale
It's often hard to determine a web page's authorship. Check the site's home page to identify the institution, organization or entity responsible for the whole site.
Even if a page is signed, qualifications aren't usually given. Sponsorship isn't usually given.

III) Objectivity

1. What is the author's purpose?
2. Does the information show a minimum of bias?
3. Is the page designed to sway opinion?
4. Is there any advertising on the page?
5. Has the page been reviewed?
6. What do the reviewers say about objectivity?
7. Who are the reviewers?

Rationale
Frequently the goals of the sponsor/authors aren't clearly stated.

IV) Currency

1. Is the page dated?
2. If so, when was the last updated?
3. How current are the links?
4. Have some expired or moved?
5. Is the material you have selected current?

Rationale
Publication or revision dates not always provided. If a date is provided, it may have various meanings. For example:

• It may indicate when the material was written.
• It may indicate when the material was first placed on the Web.
• It may indicate when the material was last revised.

V) Coverage

1. What topics are covered?
2. What does this page offer that is not found elsewhere?
3. How in-depth and scope of the materials given?

Rationale
Web coverage often differs from print coverage.
Frequently, it's difficult to determine the extent of coverage. Check the site page for a list of what is on the entire site.

VI) Domain

1. What type of site is it? Is it a.edu, .gov, .org or .com site?

Rationale
The type of domain will tell you a lot about the scope and objectivity of a site. A .edu may be more scholarly, while a .gov site may have more statistical documents in it. A .com site will have advertising which may effect the editorial policy of the site.