Evaluating Webpages

Five Criteria for the Information Age (adapted from Alexander & Tate, 1996):

1. Criterion #1: Accuracy

   • Problem:

     • How reliable and free from error is the information?

     • Were any editors or fact checkers used to review the work before it was published?

   • Facts:

     • Almost anyone can publish on the Web.

     • Many Web resources not verified by editors and/or fact checkers.

     • Web standards to ensure accuracy not fully developed.

2. Criterion #2: Authority

   • Problem:

     • What are the author's qualifications for writing on the subject?

     • How reputable is the publisher?

   • Facts:

     • Often difficult to determine authorship of Web resources.

     • If author's name listed, his/her qualifications frequently absent.

     • Publisher responsibility often not indicated.

3. Criterion #3: Objectivity

   • Problem:

     • Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?

     • To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience?

   • Facts:

     • Web often functions as a virtual soap box.

     • Goals/aims of persons or groups presenting material often not clearly stated.

4. Criterion #4: Currency

   • Problem:

     • Is the content of the work up-to-date?

     • Is the publication date clearly indicated?

   • Facts:

     • Dates not always included on Web pages.

     • If included, a date may have various meanings:

       1. Date first created

       2. Date placed on Web

       3. Date last revised

5. Criterion #5: Coverage

   • Problem:

     • What topics are included in the work?

     • To what depth are topics explored?

   • Facts:

     • Web coverage may differ from print or other media coverage.

     • Often hard to determine extent of Web coverage.

Challenges of Web Resources (adapted from Alexander & Tate, 1996):

• Challenge: Search engines can retrieve Web pages out of context.

• Strategy: Always try to return to the home page to determine the source of information.

• Challenge: In other media, there usually are clear visual and/or audio distinctions between advertising and information. On the Web, distinctions between advertising and information can become extremely blurred.

• Strategy: Try to determine if advertising and informational content are supplied by the same person or organization.

• Challenge: Web pages may move or disappear without notice.

• Strategy: Try to determine the stability of your source, and document source to the fullest extent possible.

• Challenge: Web pages are susceptible to alteration (accidental or deliberate).

• Strategy: Attempt to verify information using other sources.

Summary: How Do You Tell a Quality Resource?

Evaluating electronic resources can be challenging. In general, ask the following questions?

• Does the information appear to be accurate?

• Is the source authoritative? Who authored the page? Is the page on a reliable server (on an educational or governmental site vs. a commercial site)? Is it an information source or advertising?

• Doe the information appear to be objective? Is the site attempting to sway your opinion?

• Does the information appear to be current?

• Does it appear that the subject has received sufficient coverage? Are all sides of the subject/issue covered?