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Evaluation Tools
Evaluation Tools
We will be using 4 tools to evaluate the websites. These tools are Content, Authority, Bias, and Usability. In the table below are the key ideas when reviewing a website through any of these tools. Review the tools and the guiding questions. These will form the basis of our overall evaluation of the websites that will be investigated.
Content:
Content:
Does the site cover the topic comprehensively? Accurately?
Can you understand what is being said? Is it written above or below your level of understanding?
What is unique about this site? Does it offer something others do not?
Are the links well-chosen? sufficient?
Currency: Can you tell: the date the information was created? the publication date? the date the material was last revised? Are these dates meaningful in terms of the subject matter?
Would you get better information in a book? an encyclopedia?
Would you include this site in your bibliography?
Authority and Credibility:
Authority and Credibility:
Who is responsible for this site? Who sponsors it? Hint: truncate each section of the URL back until you are able to find the sponsor.
What are his/her credentials?
Have the authors of the site cited their own sources? Are the sources documented appropriately?
What is the domain name? Does it end in .com, .gov, .edu, .org, .net? Is it a personal page?
Is that a meaningful clue in evaluating the site? (You can't always judge a web page by its suffix. Some commercial sites provide solid information. Some university sites offer less-than-serious personal pages to graduate students.)
Would you include this site in your bibliography?
Bias and Purpose:
Bias and Purpose:
Why was this site created? (to persuade, inform, explain, sell, promote, parody, other?)
Is it a personal, commercial, government or organization site?
Is there any bias? Is only one side of the argument presented? Does it appear that any information is purposely omitted? Is there a hidden message? Is it trying to persuade you or change your opinion? Is the bias useful to you in some way?
Can you distinguish facts from opinion?
Would you include this site in your bibliography?
Usability and Design:
Usability and Design:
Is the site easy to navigate (user-friendly)?
Is there a well-labeled contents area?
Do all the design elements (graphics, art, buttons, etc.) enhance the message of the site? Is there consistency in the basic formats of each page?
Are there any errors in spelling or grammar?
Do the pages appear clean, uncluttered?
Do the links on the site work?
Would you include this site in your bibliography?
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