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Evaluating Web Sites for Quality

What should I look for in a website?

Following this list of relevant questions are links to more sites to help you understand the importance of critical evaluation.

Would my instructor accept this as a good source of information?

Keep INTENTION of author, RELEVANCE to topic, and RELIABILITY of content in mind at all times.

 

WHY was the website created?

Anyone anywhere with a modem can put up a website. The trustworthiness of information may be affected by bias or motive of the person or group for posting.

  • What purpose does this serve?
  • What does the author get out of it? Information, entertainment, profit?
  • What does the purpose tell you about the reliability of the information?

What can the URL tell you about a site's scholarly value?

 
What OPINION does the page represent?

Every page represents somebody's opinion, but some more so than others. It is vital to be aware the information you find represents the author's point of view.

  • What point is emphasized by the website? Is it reasonable?
  • Is the tone more reasonably objective or more fanatical?
  • What is obviously missing? Are there errors or omissions for n o reason?

 
WHEN was the page posted?

Some information won't change much over time, but for some, old information may be useless or detrimental to your paper.

  • Can you tell?
  • Have the authors/creators ever changed or updated the page?
  • Does it matter?

 
WHO posted the site?

The authors' willingness to add a name to work may tell you something about the reliability of the information

  • Is it clearly stated? Does anyone claim creation?
  • For whom do they work? Are there credentials?
  • Is it information you recognize (e.g. Regents of the University of Michigan)?

 
How GOOD is the information?

A good suggestion with this stage is to have done all your traditional print research first. Your understanding of your topic will be stronger and you'll be better able to evaluate the worthiness of a web site.

  • How does the information fit in with what you already know?
  • Is the page edited and cleared of typos?
  • Is the page too graphics intensive?

 
How WELL DOCUMENTED is the site?

If the author(s) are willing to post some references to how they acquired information, it is a good indicator of some quality to the site.

  • Is there a bibliography, references section, or works cited?
  • Do all the links work?
  • Do the links seem to be reputable?


For additional help on assessing pages, simply look at the URL, or Web address.

The United States uses six major protocols to identify the type of website in question. Some are listed below with a brief summary of the type of information and its bias or reliability.

.com .com identifies a commercial site. The intent is generally to sell a product or service. Some good information about a company may be found on these sites (e.g. annual reports, product information), but remember there will be bias in favor of the service or product over competitors'.
.org .org is generally the identifier for a non-profit group (e.g. Red Cross, United Way, professional associations). Again, there will be information regarding the mission and activities of that organization, but the message and intent is to convince the reader of the organization's mission or point of view. The bias will be against opposing opinions and in favor of the organization's activities.
.edu .edu is the protocol for all universities and colleges in the United States; most K-12 sites will not be given this identifier. Many institutions will allow guests to search their library catalogs, access some special collection information, and of course, view their services. In addition, some will host excellect resources that stemmed from a research project (e.g. Humanities Text Initiative). However, many universities also allow students and faculty space to post personal information or assignments; be careful you do not select a student's posted assignment as a source.
.gov .gov is assigned to anything published through the United States government. All branches of government, all security agencies, and all other agencies are also given this protocol (e.g. Statistic Canada, the Government of Canada, 2000 Census). Information available from these sites can generally be considered accurate and reliable as published by the Government. Almost everything available from the U.S. Government is published via the World Wide Web.
.net .net is the designation for companies who have a special division dedicated to online services (e.g. ATT.net, Netscape.net); this is generally in addition to services that are not solely online or computer based.


 
 
   
 
 

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Eastern Ontario and Western Ontario Districts of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
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