Evaluating Web Resources Checklist
Today’s Date:Title of Site:
Title of Page: URL (web address):
Author’s Name (if known):
Date of publication or last revision:
Evaluate the web site based on the following criteria, circling either Y (Yes) or N (No) for each.
If you answer yes, fill in a brief description where appropriate.
Currency
1. Document includes a publication date or "last updated" date that is current.
2. Document includes a date of copyright/publication. / Y N
Y N
Relevancy
3. Information is complete.
4. Information is presented clearly.
5. The information is biased or one-side.
6. Document includes a list of additional print and electronic sources.
7. Links included appear relevant and appropriate to the site; links work and are not broken. / Y N
Y N
Y N
Y N
Y N
Authority
8. Author/Organization is identifiable, i.e. biographical information about the author or institutional affiliation and address are offered.
9. Author’s qualifications are identifiable.
10. Sponsor/location of the site (identified by URL or web address) is appropriate to the website's material:
§ .com = commercial
§ .edu = educational J
§ .org = organization (nonprofit) J OR L
§ .gov, .mil, OR .us = government J
§ .us, .uk, OR .ca = country codes
§ Personal pages = personal name followed by (~), (%) or the words “users,” “members” or “people” L
§ Pages hosted by a commercial Internet provider (ie aol.com, geocities.com) L
11. Contact information for the author or producer is included in the document.
12. Mail-to link is offered for submission of questions or comments. / Y N
Y N
Y N
Y N
Y N
Accuracy
13. Document includes a bibliography.
14. Author alludes to or displays knowledge of related sources, with proper attribution.
15. Author provides both sides of the argument with no evidence of bias. / Y N
Y N
Y N
Purpose
16. Intended audience is easily identifiable.
17. Intent of information (to inform, teach, sell, persuade, entertain or enlighten) is clearly stated or implied and is appropriate. / Y N
Y N
Conclusion:
Based on this information This source is reliable and useful to my research. Explain.
Evaluating Research Sources
Currency: the timeliness of the information
· When was the information published or posted?
· Has the information been revised or updated?
· Is the information current or out of date for your topic?
· Are the links functional?
Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs
· Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
· Who is the intended audience?
· Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
· Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
· Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?
Authority: the source of the information
· Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
· Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
· What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
· What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
· Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
· Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government),
.org (nonprofit organization), or .net (network)
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content, and
· Where does the information come from?
· Is the information supported by evidence?
· Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
· Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
· Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
· Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
Purpose: the reason the information exists
· What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
· Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
· Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
· Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?