Five criteria for evaluating Web pages
(Kapoun, 1998)
Evaluation of Web documents
- 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?
[Interpretation] Accuracy: - Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number.
- Know the distinction between author and webmaster.
- 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?
[Interpretation] Authority: - What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
- Where is the document published? Check URL domain.
- 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?
[Interpretation] 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 of Web Documents
- When was it produced?
- When was it updated?
- How up-to-date are the links (if any)?
[Interpretation] Currency: - How many dead links are on the page?
- Are the links current or updated regularly?
- Is the information on the page outdated?
- 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?
[Interpretation] 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 as option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?
Kapoun, Jim (1998). Teaching undergrad's WEB evaluation. College & Research
Libraries news, 59, 522-523.
Sample web sites and evaluation questions
