5 Criteria for Evaluating Pages from the World Wide Web
(From the American Library Association)
The accuracy of Web Documents
- Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
- What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
- Is this person qualified to write this document?
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Authority of Web Documents
- Who published the document and is it separate from the "Webmaster?"
- Check the domain of the document. What institution publishes this document?
- Does the publisher list his or her qualifications anywhere?
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Objectivity of Web Documents
- What goals/objectives does this page meet?
- How detailed is the information?
- What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?
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The currency of Web Documents
- When was it produced?
- When was it updated?
- How up-to-date are the links?
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Coverage of the Web Documents
- Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents’ theme?
- Is the site all images or a balance of text and images?
- Is the presented information cited corrected?
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Summary
- Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page...
- Authority. If your page lists the author credentials...
- Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising...
- Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and . . .
- Coverage. If you can view the information properly--not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then...
You may have a Web page that could be of value to your research. |
Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523. <http://www.ala.org/cfapps/archive.cfm?path=acrl/undwebev.html>.