Evaluate Websites
When you use a library, the books there have already been evaluated by editors, fact checkers, and publishers. However, when you are using the World Wide Web, none of this applies. There are no editors. Anyone can write a Web page. Some have good information to use while others do not. You need to develop the skills to evaluate the information you find on the Internet.
The 5 Criteria for Evaluating Websites
VIDEO: How to Evaluate Information on the Web
AUTHORITY
Who is the author? What are his credentials? Did he study this topic at school or college? Does he have job experience in this field? Is there any way to reach him if you have questions? Does he have sufficient authority to speak on the subject?
Website #1: The Dog Owner's Guide
Website #2: How to Choose the Right Dog
ACCURACY
Are sources of information and factual data listed in a bibliography? Have you cross-checked the facts with another source?
John Cabot Website #1 Website #2
Samuel de Champlain Website #1 Website #2
Christopher Columbus Website #1 Website #2
Sir Francis Drake Website #1 Website #2
Vasco de Gama Website #1 Website #2
Henry Hudson Website #1 Website #2
Ferdinand Magellan Website #1 Website #2
Francisco Pizarro Website #1 Website #2
Hernando De Soto Website #1 Website #2
Vasco Nunex De Balboa Website #1 Website #2
CURRENCY
Is the information on the page up-to-date? Can you tell when the page was last updated?
OBJECTIVITY
Does the content reflect a bias? Does it have a negative point of view? Does the bias impact the usefulness of the information?
COVERAGE
What is covered? What is not? Is this information really relevant to my topic? How in-depth is the material provided? What does the page offer that other websites or resources do not?
Created on 12/13/2013 - Last updated on 3/18/2015