Evaluating Web Pages

Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages

Evaluation of Web Documents

How to Interpret the Basics

1. 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?

Accuracy

• Make sure author provided e-mail or a contact address/phone number.
• Know the distinction between author and Webmaster.

2. 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?

Authority

• What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
• Where is the document published? Check URL domain.

3. Objectivity of Web Documents

• What goals/objectives does the page meet?
• How detailed is the information?
• What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?

Objectivity

• Determine if page is a mask for advertising; if so information might be biased.
• View any Web page as you would an infomercial on television. Ask yourself why was this written and for whom?

4. Currency of Web Documents

• When was it produced?
• When was it updated?
• How up-to-date are the links (if any)?

Currency

• How many dead links are on the page?
• Are the links current or updated regularly?
• Is the information on the page outdated?

5. Coverage of the Web Documents

• Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents’ theme?
• Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
• Is the information presented or cited correctly?

Coverage

• If page required special software to view the information, how much are you missing if you don’t have the software?
• Is it free, or is there a fee, to obtain the information?
• Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?

Putting it all together

• Accuracy . If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her, and..
• Authority . If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and..
• Objectivity . If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, an d...
• Currency . If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, an d...
• Coverage . If you can view the information properly-not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirements, then..

You may have a higher quality Web page that could be of value to your research!