IN SEARCH OF
QUALITY WEBSITES

 
READER BEWARE: The World Wide Web offers more information that anyone of us can absorb in a lifetime.  Almost anything we can imaginable or have yet to imagine can be published and found on the Web.  It is the reader's obligation to analyze the quality and validity of the information posted on any given Website.  As with all traditional print resources one must use a method of critical analysis to determine its value.  The following checklists and evaluation forms are designed to help guide you in your evaluation. Evaluate a Website before you cite it as a reference. Use this page as a template and edit it as an addition to your webpage.

 
URL:http://______________________________________

 
Who put this information here?           Circle One:

government(.gov)               educational institution(.edu)               commercial organization(.com)

special interest group               private person               other __________________________
Give a brief description of the site's contents (include the title and other relevant information, such as whether it is a primary document)
 
 
 

 
What does this Website offer that cannot be found anywhere else?
 
 
 
 

 
Final Analysis: Overall, is this a quality Website?  Should you use it as a reference?
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
IN SEARCH OF
AUTHORITY AND OBJECTIVITY
YES
NO
DOES NOT APPLY or INFO IS UNCLEAR

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
 
 
1. Author gives his or her name.
 
 
 
2. Author gives an active email link or address.
 
 
 
3. Author gives his or her credentials.
 
 
 
4. Author cites references.
 
 
 
5. Author has active links to any references.
 
 
 
6. Author clearly defines his or her opinion.
 
 
 
7. Author is extremely biased and is one sided.
 
 
 
8. Author states a point of view, but not opinions.
 
 
 
9. Author relates facts that you can verify.
 
 
 
10. Do you feel comfortable citing this author?
 
 
 
ABOUT THE SITE HOST
 
 
 
1. Is the Web page connected to a reputable affiliation?
 
 
 
2. Is there a Webmaster other than the author?
 
 
 
3. Does host offer his or her qualifications or credentials?
 
 
 
4. Does the host offer an active email link or address?
 
 
 
5. Does the host have editors?
 
 
 
6. Does the host recognize the author as an authority?
 
 
 
7. Does the host offer links related to the author's purpose?
 
 
 
6. Is the page sponsored by commercial ads?
 
 
 
7. Are the ads for items sold by the Website?
 
 
 
8. Do the ads seem random and indirectly related to the site?
 
 
 
9. Does the affiliated organization seem biased?
 
 
 
10. Do you feel that the host makes the author seem credible?
 
 
 
EXPRESS AND EXPLAIN YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE AUTHOR’S QUALIFICATIONS
 
IN SEARCH OF
EASE OF USE AND SITE CURRENCY
YES
NO
DOES NOT APPLY or INFO IS UNCLEAR
 
EASE OF USE
 
 
 
1. Is the site busy and difficult to access?
 
 
 
2. Does the home page download in reasonable time?
 
 
 
3. Is the site easy to navigate?
 
 
 
4. Is the text geared towards your level of interest?
 
 
 
5. Is it difficult to extract the information you need?
 
 
 
6. Are the pictures and graphics useful?
 
 
 
7. Would it be easier to get the information in another way?
 
 
 
8. Does the site include active links?
 
 
 
9. Is the arrangement of links organized and uncluttered?
 
 
 
10. Did using this site frustrate you in any way?
 
 
 
CURRENCY AND USEFULNESS
 
 
 
1. Is this page dated?
 
 
 
2. Can you tell the last time the site was updated?
 
 
 
3. Is the currency of information important this web page?
 
 
 
4. Does the site contain links to current sites?
 
 
 
5. Are many of the links no longer functional?
 
 
 
6. Is the content of this site valuable to your needs?
 
 
 
7. Does this site provide valuable information to your needs?
 
 
 
8. Does this site provide a fresh viewpoint?
 
 
 
9. Do you feel comfortable using this site as a reference?
 
 
 
10. Is it important to you that this site is kept current?
 
 
 
EXPRESS DETAILS ABOUT THE WEBSITE CURRENCY AND NAVIGABILITY