Featured Material:
Use the Basic W Questions !!!!!
- Who? Authorship
- What? Accuracy, Verifiability, Attribution
- When? Currency
- Where? Publisher
- Why? Point of View/Bias
-What are the author's credentials, qualifications, affiliations?
-Does this book, article, or site satisfy your information need?
-Can you understand it?
-Is it the type -of source you need?
-Can you verify information in other sources?
-Do other experts agree?
-Is there a bibliography or reference list?
-What is the date of publication?
-Is newer information available?
-Do you need the most recent information on your topic?
-Did you find the reference to this book, article, or site in a reliable source? Where was it published?
-What is the reputation of the publisher/journal?
-What kind of review or editorial process preceded publication of the source?
What is the author's purpose?
Is the source objective in presenting the information?
Can you identify bias?
Are various points represented?
More on Evaluating Web sites
- What is the purpose of the site?
What is the host's motivation for providing the information on the Web? Advertising for profit, part of agency's mission, educational purposes, publicizing a particular agenda? Information about the site can be obtained by examining the last three letters (domain code) of the host address:
.com = commercial source
.gov = government agency
.org = non-profit organization
.net = consortium (profit or non-profit)
.edu = educational institution - Is it stable? Will it be here tomorrow?
- Is the content accurate and reliable ?
- Is there
a statement of responsibility or ownership?
-Is it produced by an organization or person with the background and credentials?
-Is the content free of bias or prejudice?
-Is the content reviewed by others?
-Does each page provide basic information?
- Is there evidence of regular maintenance?
- Is it clear and easy to use?
- Is it consistent in the use of graphics, etc?
- Do you need special tools to use it?
-Are there statistics on use or a copyright date?
-Did you locate the site through a reliable web page?
-When was the last update?
-Is it a link on other sites?
-Is it copyrighted?
-Can you verify content through a printed source?
-Is the content available in other formats?
-Are links and information updated regularly?
-When was the last update?
-Can you quickly move from page to page?
-Are the arrows and buttons self-explanatory?
-Do you get confused about where you are at the site?
-If so, does the site point to the required software tools?
