Outcome Criteria 1 2 3 4

Authority (Who is the expert?)

A credible website may end in .edu, .gov, .org, etc. It will also have many other references containing similar information., The author of the website is well known and has the “authority” or the background to be able to publish a sire dealing on a specific subject matter.

Website is published by an author who has the background to write about the subject. The website is somewhat well known, and has few reliable references. Website may end in .edu, .gov, .org, etc.

Website has one or two references. The author is not well known and background does not specifically pertain to the subject matter. Ex: A zoo keeper can’t write about gastric bypass surgery because he/she doesn’t have the experience to do so.

Website has no references, the author is not a credible one, and the content does not full correspond with the data/statistics provided. Ex: Pregnant man on a medical website

Accuracy (How accurate is the information?)

Website provides correct information the deals directly with the subject matter. Information can be found through other search engines, websites, or trustworthy resources like, educational articlces, published books, etc.

Information on the website mostly deals with the subject matter. Majority of the information can be found through other search engines , websites, or trustworthy resources like educational articles, published books, etc.

Only about half of the information provided by the website can be deemed factual. Some information provided by the site could not be found through popular search engines like Google or Yahoo.

None of the information provided by the website had to do with the subject matter. A lot of the information could be considered as not factual due to the fact that what was provided by the site could not be located anywhere else.

Objectivity (Is the site bias?)

If the website contained controversial topics, the website clearly provides an equal amount of information for both sides of the subject matter without bias. (Does not indirectly sway individuals by showing favoritism towards one side of the subject matter.)

If the website contained controversial topics, website provides an equal amount of information for both sides of the subject matter.

Website somewhat provides information for both sides of the subject matter

Website clearly chooses one side of the subject matter and does not provide information for the other.

Currency (How current is the website?)

The date the website was established is visible and the information provided on the website is up to date. Ex: Any data/statistics over 10 years old is inaccurate information.

The date the website was established may not be visible; the information on the website is up to date and accurate.

The information provided on the website is somewhat up to date. Some of the data/statistics provided are over ten years old.

Website Is completely out of date. Context is not relevant to today’s time. None of the data provided is less than 10 years old.

Coverage (How current is the website?)

Website thoroughly reflects and elaborates, specifically on the subject, matter and topics that deal with that specific subject and nothing else.

Website reflects and elaborates on the subject matter and other topics that are closely related to the subject.

Website briefly reflects on the subject matter and provides some information that has to do with that subject.

Website does not reflect nor does it elaborate on the subject matter at all. (Completely off topic.)

Outcome Criteria 1 2 3 4

A = 22.5 – 25 points B = 20 – 22 points C = 17.5 – 19.5 points D = 15 – 17 points F = 0 -14.5 points

Authority (Who is the expert?)

A credible website may end in .edu, .gov, .org, etc. It will also have many other references containing similar information., The author of the website is well known and has the “authority” or the background to be able to publish a sire dealing on a specific subject matter.

Website is published by an author who has the background to write about the subject. The website is somewhat well known, and has few reliable references. Website may end in .edu, .gov, .org, etc.

Website has one or two references. The author is not well known and background does not specifically pertain to the subject matter. Ex: A zoo keeper can’t write about gastric bypass surgery because he/she doesn’t have the experience to do so.

Website has no references, the author is not a credible one, and the content does not full correspond with the data/statistics provided. Ex: Pregnant man on a medical website

Accuracy (How accurate is the information?)

Website provides correct information the deals directly with the subject matter. Information can be found through other search engines, websites, or trustworthy resources like, educational articlces, published books, etc.

Information on the website mostly deals with the subject matter. Majority of the information can be found through other search engines , websites, or trustworthy resources like educational articles, published books, etc.

Only about half of the information provided by the website can be deemed factual. Some information provided by the site could not be found through popular search engines like Google or Yahoo.

None of the information provided by the website had to do with the subject matter. A lot of the information could be considered as not factual due to the fact that what was provided by the site could not be located anywhere else.

Objectivity (Is the site bias?)

If the website contained controversial topics, the website clearly provides an equal amount of information for both sides of the subject matter without bias. (Does not indirectly sway individuals by showing favoritism towards one side of the subject matter.)

If the website contained controversial topics, website provides an equal amount of information for both sides of the subject matter.

Website somewhat provides information for both sides of the subject matter

Website clearly chooses one side of the subject matter and does not provide information for the other.

Currency (How current is the website?)

The date the website was established is visible and the information provided on the website is up to date. Ex: Any data/statistics over 10 years old is inaccurate information.

The date the website was established may not be visible; the information on the website is up to date and accurate.

The information provided on the website is somewhat up to date. Some of the data/statistics provided are over ten years old.

Website Is completely out of date. Context is not relevant to today’s time. None of the data provided is less than 10 years old.

Coverage (How current is the website?)

Website thoroughly reflects and elaborates, specifically on the subject, matter and topics that deal with that specific subject and nothing else.

Website reflects and elaborates on the subject matter and other topics that are closely related to the subject.

Website briefly reflects on the subject matter and provides some information that has to do with that subject.

Website does not reflect nor does it elaborate on the subject matter at all. (Completely off topic.)

A = 22.5 – 20 points B = 20 – 16 points C = 17.5 – 12 points D = 15 – 8 points F = 0 -14.5 points

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