EvaluatingEvaluatingWebsitesWebsites

What things determinethe usefulness and reliabilityof a website

as a research tool?

Why Evaluate Websites?Why Evaluate Websites?

Anyone can publish on the Internet.Anyone can publish on the Internet. Many facts and resources are not Many facts and resources are not

verified.verified. Websites are often used to give one Websites are often used to give one

point of view.point of view. Many sites have no editors.Many sites have no editors. Many sites are market orientated.Many sites are market orientated. Sites are a mix of entertainment, Sites are a mix of entertainment,

information, and advertising.information, and advertising.

Evaluation CriteriaEvaluation Criteria

AccuracyAccuracy AuthorityAuthority ObjectivityObjectivity CurrencyCurrency CoverageCoverage PresentationPresentation

AccuracyAccuracy

Is the author(s) listed?Is the author(s) listed? Is the information organized with Is the information organized with

well-developed ideas and themes?well-developed ideas and themes? Is the information free of spelling and Is the information free of spelling and

grammatical errors?grammatical errors? Is the writing clear?Is the writing clear? Are all the facts correct and verified? Are all the facts correct and verified? Are sources listed? Are sources listed?

AuthorityAuthority Who published the document, and it is Who published the document, and it is

separate from the “webmaster”?separate from the “webmaster”? Does the site offer an “in-site” Does the site offer an “in-site”

search engine?search engine? Are the publisher’s credentials listed?Are the publisher’s credentials listed? Are the author’s credentials Are the author’s credentials

appropriate?appropriate? Site’s domain is a preferred source Site’s domain is a preferred source

(e.g., .org; .edu; .gov;) (e.g., .org; .edu; .gov;)

ObjectivityObjectivity

Is there bias present?Is there bias present? Is fact and opinion clearly stated?Is fact and opinion clearly stated? Is hateful, defamatory, and/or Is hateful, defamatory, and/or

inflammatory language used?inflammatory language used? Is the purpose of the website clearly Is the purpose of the website clearly

stated?stated?

CurrencyCurrency

How current is the information on the How current is the information on the website?website?

How often is the information How often is the information updated?updated?

Are any embedded text links or Are any embedded text links or hyperlinks up-to-date?hyperlinks up-to-date?

CoverageCoverage Do the document’s links, graphics, and/or Do the document’s links, graphics, and/or

multimedia features compliment the multimedia features compliment the document’s theme?document’s theme?

Is any special software required to view Is any special software required to view any documents? If so, is there a “text-any documents? If so, is there a “text-only” option?only” option?

Do all site features function for all Do all site features function for all browsers?browsers?

Does the site require the user to become a Does the site require the user to become a member to view any contents?member to view any contents?

PresentationPresentation Are the menus and navigation tools Are the menus and navigation tools

easily visible? easily visible? Do the pages load quickly?Do the pages load quickly? Is the site’s layout logical?Is the site’s layout logical? Is there a site map?Is there a site map? Does the site use “pop-up” ads and/or Does the site use “pop-up” ads and/or

is the advertising unobtrusive?is the advertising unobtrusive?

AssignmentAssignment

Examine your favorite website Examine your favorite website and determineand determine Its usefulness Its usefulness Its reliabilityIts reliability

Complete the Website Complete the Website Evaluation Rubric with your Evaluation Rubric with your overall conclusions.overall conclusions.

Your ConclusionsYour Conclusions

Overall, I would rate this website to be Overall, I would rate this website to be ExcellentExcellent AdequateAdequate PoorPoor

And And RecommendRecommend Not recommendNot recommend

because _______________________________.because _______________________________.