Evaluating Websites

To assure that the information is accurate

To avoid being deceived

To get a good grade

Why should I evaluate websites?

Is the author of the site given? Is he/she reputable? Can I find information about the author?

Is the site created by an organization? Can I find information about the organization?

What should I look for?Authority

It is difficult to judge the authority of the writer of the website. For help look at:

The domain: .edu, .com, .org, .net A header or footer that indicates the author’s affiliation

Example:http://westernreservepublicmedia.org

What can you say about this site?

More about …Authority

Is the information on the site true? Can I verify it?

Are the grammar and spelling correct?

What should I look for?Accuracy

How old is the information? Is there a copyright date?

Has the site been updated?

What should I look for?Currency

1962

What is the focus of the site?

Is the site easy to navigate?

Are there clear headings so that I know what the site is about?

What should I look for?Coverage

Is there a sponsor for the site? Does that sponsor have an “issue?”

Are inflammatory words used on the site?

What should I look for?Objectivity

Go Browns!!!

Is there bias in the information given on the site? What is the site trying to do? Let’s look at an example.

FAIR — Federation for American Immigration Reform: http://www.fairus.org/home

What are the writers of the site trying to do?

Is this an unbiased presentation of the information?

More about …Objectivity

Evaluation Criteria http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html

Criteria for Evaluating Websites http://www.classzone.com/books/research_guide/page_build.cfm?content=web_eval_criteria&state=none

Library Learning Commons http://www.fscj.edu/mydegree/library-learning-commons/assets/documents/web_site_eval.pdf

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