Website Evaluation Checklist *
Can the Internet be used for research? Absolutely, if you look at each website you plan to use with a critical eye.
Consider the criteria:
| Author of the Site |
| Whose idea was it? |
| A: |
If one person, what are that person's credentials? |
 |
| B: |
If an organization, check the Encyclopedia of Associations in your library. |
|
| C: |
Is an address or email address given? |
|
| Place of Origin |
| What country or state does it come from? |
| A: |
The United States |
|
| B: |
Other Countries (Check the country code in the URL: .de for Germany, .au for Australia, .sg for Singapore, etc.) |
|
| URL |
| Whose type of site is it? |
| A: |
.com - a commercial site |
|
| B: |
.org - a group or organization |
|
| C: |
.edu - an academic institution |
|
| D: |
.gov - a government site |
|
| E: |
.mil - a military site |
|
| D: |
.net - a network |
|
| Purpose |
| How objective will it be? |
| A: |
To inform you |
|
| B: |
To convince you of a point |
|
| C: |
To sell you a product or service |
|
| D: |
To amuse or entertain you |
|
| Content |
| Is it what you need to know and enough of what you need? |
| A: |
Source of the information (books, articles, research, observation, opinion) |
|
| B: |
Comparison with other sources:
Accurate? Current? |
|
| Currency |
| Is it being updated to reflect current news and trends? |
| A: |
Date of creation |
|
| B: |
Last update |
|
| C: |
Up to date links |
|
| Ease of Navigation |
| Correct spelling and grammar |
| A: |
Use of graphics |
|
| B: |
Placement of ads |
|
| C: |
Design |
|
| Intended Audience |
| What age or reading level is it aimed at? |
|
| Organization |
| Is the overall look pleasing and logical? |
|
* The Book Report, September/October 2001, page 48.
^ back to top 
