Wyndham Robertson Library

Wyndham Robertson Library

Using the Web for Research

Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Documents

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?	Accuracy Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number. Know the distinction between author and Webmaster. Is the information reliable and error-free?
2. Authority of Web Documents Who authored the document and is it separate from the "Webmaster?" Check the domain of the document, what institution publishes this document? Does the author list his or her qualifications or expertise?	Authority Is the page signed? What credentials are listed for the authors? Where is the document published? Check URL domain. Who is the sponsor? Are they reputable?
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? Are they biased?	Objectivity Determine if page is a mask for advertising; if so information might be biased. View any Web page as you would an infommercial on television. Ask yourself why was this written and for whom?
4. Currency of Web Documents Is the page dated? When was it last updated? How up-to-date are the links (if any)?	Currency How many dead links are on the page? Are the links current or updated regularly? Is the information on the page outdated?
5. Coverage of the Web Documents What topics are covered? How in-depth is the material? Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents' purpose? Is it all images or a balance of text and images? Is the information presented cited correctly?	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?
Putting it all together Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her and . . . Authority. If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and, . . Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and . . . Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and . . . Coverage. If you can view the information properly--not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then . . . You may have a Web page that could be of value to your research!

Edited by Jamie Redwine (jredwine@hollins.edu) 6/17/2004

FROM: Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching students WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523.