Evaluating What You Find

How do we know if a web site is useful, or even for real? Use the Quick Check Items, or give the web site a score using our Score Sheet, and always verify the information in another source!

Evaluating an Internet Site Title of Website: ______Full Internet Address: ______

For each of the following areas, give a score. Then total the scores.

1. Domain Ending. What is the domain ending? ______Is it appropriate for the information you need to find? Why or Why not? Score: ____ 3pts. = Best possible domain ending for the information 2pts. = OK domain ending 0pts. = Inappropriate domain ending

2. Authorship. Who is responsible for creating this page? If a person, is there evidence that he/she is an expert in the field? If a company/organization, does it exist someplace other than on the Internet? Is it an authority on the subject? Score: ____ 4 pts. = Author's name given AND evidence of expertise 2 pts. = Author's name only 0 pts. = No author, or obviously not an expert

3. Documentation. Are there references within the text? A bibliography of sources? A list of books to purchase online does not count. Score: ____ 3pts. = Includes well-documented references 2pts. = Some references 0pts. = No references

4. Presentation. Is the layout neat and easy to navigate? Is the site professional looking, or is it flashy? Are pictures and graphics of good quality and do they go with the text? Score: ____ 3pts. = Excellent presentation 2pts = Good, but one or two things could be better 0pts. = Difficult, sloppy, unprofessional, rude, or "gushy"

5. Credibility of Homepage. Examine the index page of a database, or the home page of an individual web site. Is the starting page credible and appropriate? Accept professionality and real organizations/people who tell you who they are and how to contact them. Reject hype and flashiness. Score: ____ 3pts. = Definitely credible 1pt. = Seems credible 0pts. = Inappropriate

6. Content. Are there facts, or just personal experiences? Is the language understandable, or does the site try to impress you with a lot of technical jargon? Is spelling and grammar correct? Does it use standard English, or is it full of slang and crude/rude/lewd language? Score: ____ 4pts. = Facts presented clearly with excellent use of language 2pts. = Good content, but some things could be better 0pts. = Personal experiences only, or poor use of language

7. Date. When was this site last updated? ______Is that appropriate for the information? Why or why not? Score: ____ 2pts. = Timely date 0pts. = Too old or don't know the date

8. Advertising. What does a company have to gain by this site? Is it selling something, or just for information? Does it slander or put down another product? What kinds of advertisers were chosen to sponsor the site? Score: ____ 3pts. = Information only, with high quality sponsors 1pt. = Sells a product by informing. Has quality sponsorship 0pts. = Flashy, hyped-up sponsorship or any slander

Total: ____ 21-25 pts = Excellent 16-20 pts = Very Good 11-15 pts = Proceed with Caution 0-10 pts = Do Not Use