Evaluating Web SitesEvaluating Web Sites
BTTMr. Garel
Evaluating Web SitesEvaluating Web Sites
not all information found on the World Wide Web is accurate and not all web sites, no
matter how attractive, are good.
Evaluating a web site is
an important activity because …
It’s …It’s … AAll ll AAboutbout OOngoingngoing CCriticalritical CConcernoncern
AAOCC …
AccuracyAuthorityObjectivityCurrencyCoverage
AccuracyAccuracy
Who wrote the page?Can you contact the author / webmaster?What is the purpose of the document?Is the person qualified to write this
document?
AccuracyAccuracy
Check for: e-mail address postal address or phone number
Know the difference: Author v.s. Webmaster
AuthorityAuthority
What are the author’s credentials?Where is the document published?Is there institutional affiliation?Check the URL domain for clues:
– .edu, .org, .gov, .mil more reliable– .com, .ca, .on, .au, .uk, etc. less reliable! Example: http://tqjunior.www.thinkquest.org/4471
http://www.nasa.gov/spaceflight
ObjectivityObjectivityWhat are the goals of the web site?
… to persuade
… to inform
… to entertain
… to sell
Are the goals met?
ObjectivityObjectivity
How detailed is the information?– too simple, just right, too complex?
What opinions are expressed?
Is the information free of bias?
Does the site promote advertising?
CurrencyCurrencyWhen was it produced?
– Look for copyright © information
When was the site last updated?
Do all the links function?
Is the information on the page outdated?
CoverageCoverage
Is there a balance of text and images?
Do the links complement the web site’s theme?
Is the information cited correctly?
CoverageCoverage
Is special software required to browse the web site?
Is there a cost to view the information?
Is the site organized well?
In Summary:In Summary:
If the site:lists the author and institution that
published the web page(s)provides a way to contact the authorlists the author’s credentialshas a preferred domain
(.edu, .gov, .org, .net)
In Summary:In Summary:
has limited advertisingis objective (unbiased) in
presenting informationIs current and is updated regularly
provides accurate information
In Summary:In Summary:
Can be viewed without limitations
Then your information source is most likely a reliable and valid one for your research.
Has operational and relevant links
Remember …Remember …
A A O C C
It’s All About Ongoing
Critical Concern.
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