How to Evaluate Web Sites
Criteria To Evaluate Web Sites
Criteria to Evaluate Web Sites
If you do searches in GOOGLE or another search engine to find information on your topic, remember that you will have to evaluate each site to see if the information is reliable. To evaluate web sites, use the following checklist:
Credibility | Is there an author listed? | _____ |
Does the author cite sources or a bibliography? | _____ | |
Does the author cite formal credentials or experience? | _____ | |
Can you contact the author? | _____ | |
Do you know who sponsored the page? Are they reputable? | _____ | |
Bias | ||
Does the site present information in an objective manner? | _____ | |
Are all sides of an issue represented, or is this site biased? | _____ | |
Audience | ||
Is the level of the website appropriate to your needs? | _____ | |
Does the content cover several topics minimally or one topic in detail? | _____ | |
Accuracy | Does the site provide documentation for the information provided? | _____ |
Does the site provide information that contradicts other sources? | _____ | |
Does the site include an explanation of its research methods? | _____ | |
Currency | ||
Was the information recently published? | _____ | |
Has it been updated or revised? | _____ | |
Relevance |
Does the information add to or support your research? | _____ |
Does the site provide additional links that are also useful? | _____ | |
Does the page provide more or less information than you need? | _____ |
For more information on how to evaluate web sites, go to this tutorial from UC Berkeley.
Now try the following exercise to practice evaluating web sites quickly and efficiently.
Remember that people create web sites for different purposes. It' s useful to determine the type and purpose of a web site in order to decide if you will use the information for a research paper. The more important type of web pages are:
Exercise on Evaluating Web Sites
The following web sites were found with a Google search on the use of cell phones in schools.
Look at them quickly and answer the following questions:
1) Fair Cell Phone Use in Schools
Who is the author of this article and what are her credentials?
What is SUITE 101? What type of web site is this? How do people get articles published on this site?
Would you use the information on this site for a research paper? Why or why not?
2) Perceptions of Mobile Phones in College Classrooms
Read the summary of the article and then answer the questions
Who is the author of this article? What are his credentials?
When was this article published?
Is this a scholarly article? Why?
3) Let's Call the Whole Thing Off: Effectively Managing Cell Phones in School
Who is responsible for the information on this site? An individual or an organization?
What in the purpose of this site?
Where is the information coming from? What are the sources?
Would you use the information in a research paper?
4) From Distraction to Engagement: Wireless Devices in the Classroom
Who is the author of this article? What are his credentials?
What is EDUCAUSE? What's the mission of this organization?
Do you think the information is reliable? Why?
Would this page be useful for a research paper?