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Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages

The mission of Lunder Library is to facilitate physical and electronic access to information services for the changing needs of a diverse population.
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?

    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?

    3.Objectivity of Web Documents
  • What goals/objectives does this
        page meet?
  • How detailed is the information?
  • What opinions (if any) are
        expressed by the author?

    4.Currency of Web Documents
  • When was it produced?
  • When was it updated?
  • How up-to-date are the links
        (if any)?

    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
        cited correctly?
    		•  Accuracy
  • Make sure author provides e-mail
        or a contact address/phone
        number
  • Know the distinction between
        author and Webmaster

    Authority
  • What credentials are listed for the
        authors?
  • Where is the document published?
  • Check URL domain.

    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?

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        outdated?

    Coverage
  • If page requires 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?
     
    		•

    Kapewn, Jim.  “Teaching undergrads Web Evaluation.”  College & Research Libraries News. 59 (1998) 522.

    David Smith
    Librarian
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