Web Page Evaluation

a tutorialSteve Mittendorf

When Comparing Websites....

there are 4 main criteria

• Authority

• Accuracy

• Currency

• Objectivity

Wolfgram Memorial Library Reference Department. (2004). How to evaluate information on the Web. Widener University. Retrieved January 6, 2011 from http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/wolfgram_library/evaluate/default.aspx

I have an interest in nutrition......so I'm going to compare web site information

on the benefits of whole grains using two web sites

"WG GUIDE"

http://www.cspinet.org/nah/wwheat.html

"WG COUNCIL"

http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/

AuthorityWho's responsible?

What are their qualifications?

Using WHOIS, I search the domain of the two websites

http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp

EvaluationWG Guide: unusual web

address extension neither educational, commercial or organizational. No contact information.

WG Council: All contact information available (address, email and phone numbers).

AccuracyAre there other sources and links presented within the web page?

Using Google search, I use link: before the URL in the search box to find links to the websites

ex. link:www.wholegraincouncil.org

EvaluationWG Guide: 2 sites are

linked to this web page.

WG Council: 163 sites are linked to this site. More links to other credible sources.

CurrencyDates are written and revision dates are on the web page; no dead links.

EvaluationWG Guide: Dated 1997 but

no recent revisions and no copyright information. One active link

WG Council: Copyrighted and revised in 2011

ObjectivityMinimum bias and information is fair and balanced

EvaluationWG Guide: Informative but

limited information. Somewhat objective but again information is dated.

WG Council: Very informative. Information has some bias but it is minimal given the amount of information and resources the page is linked to.

Conclusions

The "WG Council" website is clearly more informative and reliable because:

• There is an authority behind the website

• The website's links provide more accuracy

• There is currency because the website has been revised recently and copyrighted.

• The web site offers objectivity because it had minimal bias