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
- F: .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.
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