Evaluating Websites: A Checklist Fall 2012 ✓ Solved

Evaluating Web Sites: A Checklist Fall 2012

Why evaluate web sites? No one judges the quality or accuracy of information found on the World Wide Web before it is published, so you must evaluate what you find for yourself. Some sites are created by experts; for example, the University of Maryland Libraries site is authored by librarians who have expertise in the field of information science. However, the vast majority of World Wide Web sites are designed and authored by non-experts.

Directions:

  1. Carefully read through and answer each question directly on this form.
  2. After filling out the page print it.
  3. Attach a printout of the first page of the web site you are evaluating to this checklist and hand the packet in to your professor.

What is the URL or web address of the web site you are evaluating? What is the title of the web site?

Authority and Accuracy: Anyone who knows a little HTML coding and has access to a server can create and load a web page. It is important to find out the author’s identity and his or her qualifications or expertise in order to determine the credibility and reliability of the information.

What is the author of the web site? What authorship clues did the URL (web address) provide? Check all that apply: company (.com) non-profit organization (.org) academic institution (.edu) country-specific site (e.g., .uk) U.S. government agency (.gov) personal web page (e.g., U.S. military site (.mil) other? Please describe: network of computer (.net).

What are the qualifications of the author or group that created the site?

Purpose and Content: Determine the purpose of the web site by looking closely at the content of the information. Some sites provide links to information (e.g., an About Our Organization or Mission Statement page) detailing the purpose in creating the web site, while the purpose of others might not be obvious at first.

What is the purpose of the web page or site? Check all that apply: A personal web page, A company or organization web site, A forum for educational/public service information, A forum for scholarly/research information, For entertainment, An advertisement or electronic commerce, A forum for ideas, opinions, or points of view, Other – please explain:

In your own words, briefly describe the purpose of the web site. What does the web site provide?

Currency: The currency or regularity of updating information is vital for some types of web sites and not so important for others. For example, web sites that provide historical information, such as the presidential papers of George Washington, do not have to be updated as often as sites that provide news stories or stock market information. When was the web site last revised, modified, or updated? Is currency important to the type of information available on this web site? Please explain:

Design, Organization, and Ease of Use: Design, organization, and ease of use are important considerations. Web sites can provide useful sources of information. However, if a web site is slow to load, or difficult to navigate, search, and read, its contribution and usefulness will be lost.

In your opinion, how does the web site appear overall? Check all that apply: Well designed and organized, Poorly designed and organized, Easy to read and navigate, Difficult to read and navigate, Help screens are available, Help screens are unavailable, A search feature/site map is available, A search feature/site map is unavailable.

Paper For Above Instructions

Websites are an integral part of the modern information ecosystem, serving as important tools for research, communication, and learning. However, the sheer volume of information available on the internet necessitates a careful evaluation of web sources. Evaluating a website involves assessing several aspects: authority, purpose and content, currency, and design/organization, which can help determine its credibility and usefulness.

Authority

Authority refers to the credibility of the website's author or organization. A reputable website typically provides clear information about the authorship, credentials, and affiliations of the content creators. For instance, academic (.edu) websites often belong to educational institutions, while government (.gov) sites usually represent official state or federal information. In contrast, commercial websites (.com) and personal blogs may lack rigorous oversight, making it crucial to scrutinize their content critically.

Purpose and Content

Understanding the purpose of a website can significantly aid in evaluating its content. Is the website designed to inform, promote, entertain, or persuade? A website designed for educational or scholarly purposes typically provides factual information supported by evidence and cites reputable sources. Conversely, sites that serve commercial interests or personal opinions may contain biased content and lack objectivity. Researching mission statements, "about us" pages, and references can reveal much about a site's intention.

Currency

Currency pertains to how up-to-date the information on the website is. Many types of websites, particularly those reporting news or containing time-sensitive data, must be regularly updated to maintain relevance. In contrast, historical sites might not require frequent updates. Checking the last modified date or the freshness of articles can provide insight into the reliability of the information presented.

Design, Organization, and Ease of Use

User experience plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of a website. A well-organized, clear, and easily navigable site enhances the user’s ability to find relevant information quickly. Design aspects, such as loading speed, readability, and availability of help features, impact user satisfaction and retention. A website that is difficult to navigate or visually cluttered can deter users from engaging with content—potentially affecting the dissemination of valuable information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, evaluating websites requires an analytical approach that examines the authority, purpose, currency, and design of the site. By conducting systematic evaluations, users can discern credible information from unreliable sources, enhancing their research and learning experience. As we navigate the vast ocean of the internet, these criteria act as lifeboats, guiding us toward safer shores of trustworthy knowledge.

References

  • American Library Association. (2023). Evaluating Information: Understanding the Importance of Authority. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org
  • California State University. (2023). Evaluating the Credibility of Sources. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu
  • University of Maryland Libraries. (2012). Evaluating Websites: A Checklist. Retrieved from http://www.lib.umd.edu
  • Webster University. (2023). Evaluating Internet Sources. Retrieved from http://www.webster.ch
  • Northeastern University. (2023). Determining the Credibility of Web Sources. Retrieved from http://www.northeastern.edu
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2023). Evaluating Sources. Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/
  • Yale University. (2023). Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Consider. Retrieved from http://www.yale.edu
  • Cornell University. (2023). Choosing and Evaluating Sources. Retrieved from http://www.cornell.edu
  • University of Georgia. (2023). Evaluating Online Information. Retrieved from http://www.uga.edu
  • Harvard University. (2023). How to Evaluate Research Sources. Retrieved from http://www.harvard.edu

Related Assignments