Evaluating Web Sources

As mentioned on the previous page, there is no built-in quality control nor governing authority for the Web. Therefore, it is important to carefully evaluate Web resources for information quality. The criteria below are very useful in helping evaluate sites and represent some of the major questions you need to ask to determine the credibility of a Web or other information resource.

 

Evaluation Criteria

Currency
  • Is the information timely?
  • When was the site updated?

 

Authority
  • Is the expertise or background of the author listed?
  • Does the author seem qualified for writing this?

 

Audience
  • For whom is the information intended and what knowledge level is expected?

 

Purpose
  • Is there a bias or strong opinion evident?
  • Was this written to inform, persuade, advertise, or....?

 

Accuracy
  • Is the information reliable and error free?
  • Can you tell if the story is straight?  
  • Are the facts all there? Or is this only part of a bigger story?

 

 

Coverage
  • Is the information complete?
  • Does it offer in-depth material of value?

 

Credentials
  • Is the page "signed" and is information about the author/ authority's affiliation evident?
  • What organization (if any) hosts/sponsors this information?
  • Does the group sponsoring the information have a particular purpose?