Evaluating Web Sites

Evaluating Web Sites

The Web is a tremendous source of huge volumes of information but also a channel for self-serving, misguided, or simply inaccurate drivel. Here are several dimensions (in alphabetical order) along which to evaluate a web page or other source of information to help you consume the Internet wisely:

Currency

How current is the information? (Consider both how long since the page was posted and how old information was at the time of posting.) How quickly does this information change? Are there outdated links?

Design

Is the page all flash and no substance? Is there a design that supports and reinforces the content?

Purpose

Is the page presented to promote a cause or market a product? (It may be valid info nonetheless, but beware.)

Reference

What is the source of the information presented? Is that source clearly documented? Are alternative sources included or mentioned?

Relevance

How close is the page to what you are looking for? Do you need to read between the lines?

Source

Who has written the page and who presents it? (This is related to purpose.) What is the URL? (Components of that give hints as to the nature of the author.) Is the author someone likely to have an understanding of the material appropriate to what you are looking for? Is the author clearly identified?

There are some great resources, much from university libraries, on evaluating web sites. Here’s a few:

http://library.canisius.edu/help/evaluate.html">http://library.canisius.edu/help/evaluate.html An oldie, but goodie, from Canisius College, has been updated a bit from when I first offered it to students in 2000.

http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/webeval.html">http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/webeval.html Another old favorite, this one from Cornell, includes several links to other resources.

http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/webcheck.html">http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/webcheck.html The University of Maryland library provides this interactive checklist.

Print | Top | TCN 298 Home

Anthony G Benoit abenoit@trcc.commnet.edu
(860) 885-2386

Revised