Evaluating Web Pages
Why Evaluate Web Pages?
Anyone can publish on the web
There is no fully developed standard to ensure quality
Web pages can disappear without any notice
Search engines can retrieve pages out of context
How to Evaluate Web Pages?
Criteria Questions to Ask :
Authority
Is the author’s/sponsor’s name clearly listed with the qualifications?
Is the contact information given?
Where is the page published?
Who is the copyright holder
Accuracy
Are there any typographical, grammatical, or spelling errors?
Are there editors or fact checkers?
Are information sources clearly listed?
Is the statistical data clearly labeled and easy to read?
Objectivity
What is the goal of the author or sponsor?
Is the information presented with a minimum bias?
Is the information intended as a public service?
Is the advertising clearly delineated from the informational content?
Currency
Are the following dates given:
date the page was written
date the page was published
date the page was last revised
Are the links up-to-date?
If it’s statistical data, is the collection date given?
If the information is published in different editions, is the edition number of the printed work clearly stated?
Coverage
Is it clear whether the page has been completed, or is still under construction?
What topics are covered?
Is it clear if the entire printed work is available on the web or only parts of it?
Are links evaluated and do they complement the theme of the document?
For full information on how to evaluate different types of web pages including advocacy (.org), business (.com), informational (.edu/.gov), news (.com), and personal pages, please go to the web site of Wolfgram Memorial Library of Widener University