Internet Evaluation Criteria

I. Accuracy

Is the information reliable and error-free ?
Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the information?
Is the information documented or cited?
Is the information believable ?

Rationale

1. Unlike traditional print resources, web resources rarely have editors or
   fact-checkers.
2. Currently, no web standards exist to ensure accuracy.

II. Authority

Is there an author? Is the page signed ?
Is the author qualified? An expert?
Who is the sponsor of the page?
Is the sponsor of the page reputable? How reputable ?
Is there a link to obtain background information about the author or the sponsor ?
If the page includes neither a signature nor indicates a sponsor, is there any other way to determine its origin?

Hint: Get to the Home Page by lopping off everything after the domain suffix. Look at the suffix to determine affiliation. For example:

Look at the URL. http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel07/bridgeupdate080807.htm

For a description of the various domain suffixes, click here. (Examples include: .edu, .com, .ac.uk, .org, .net, .gov)

Rationale

1. Anyone can publish anything on the web.
2. It is often hard to determine who the author of a web page may be.
3. Even if a page is signed, qualifications are not usually provided.
4. Sponsorship is not always indicated or easy to determine.

III. Objectivity

Does the information show a minimum of bias?
Is the page designed to sway opinion?
Is there any advertising on the page?

Rationale

1. Frequently the goals of the sponsors/authors are not clearly stated.
2. The Web frequently serves as a virtual soapbox (someone voicing their opinion.)

IV. Currency

Is the page dated?
If so, when was the last update?
How current are the hyperlinks? Have some expired or moved?

Rationale

1. Publication or revision dates are not always provided.
2. If a date is provided, it may have various meanings. For example:
   It may indicate when the material was first written
   It may indicate when the material was first posted on the Web
   It may indicate when the material was last revised

V. Coverage/Content

What topics are covered?
What does this page offer that is not found elsewhere?
What is its intrinsic value?
How in-depth is the material?
How are the images and graphics used? Do they support the content?

Rationale

1. Web coverage often differs from print coverage.
2. Frequently, it's difficult to determine the extent of coverage of a topic from a web page. The page may or may not include links to other web pages or print references.
3. Sometimes web information is "just for fun", a hoax, someone's personal expression that may be of interest to no one, or even outright silliness.

Develop your own Baloney Detection Kit. View video before starting the Web Site Evaluation

Employing these 5 criteria, you can use this online Web Site Evaluation Form to evaluate web sites that you locate when doing research through Google or some other Internet Search Engine. Remember, just because it is on the Internet, doesn't mean that it is accurate!

* Adapted from Evaluation Criteria Page developed by Susan E. Beck, Collection Development Coordinator at New Mexico State University Library.