Criteria for Evaluating Web Resources

Authority:

•        Who created the site?

•        What is their authority?

•        Do they have expertise or experience with the topic?

•        What are their credentials, institutional affiliation?

•        Is organizational information provided?

Objectivity:

•        Is the purpose and intention of the site clear, including any bias or particular viewpoint?

•        Are the purpose and scope stated?

•        Who is the intended audience?

•        Is the information clearly presented as being factual or opinion, primary or secondary in origin?

•        What criteria are used for inclusion of the information?

•        Is any sponsorship or underwriting fully disclosed?

Accuracy:

•        Is the information presented accurate?

•        Are the facts documented or well-researched?

•        Are the facts similar to those reported in related print or other online sources?

•        Are the Web resources for which links are provided quality sites?

•        Currency: Is the information current?

•        Is the content current?

•        Are the pages date-stamped with last update?

Usability:

•        Is the site well-designed and stable?

•        Is the site organization logical and easy to maneuver?

•        Is the content written at a level that is readable by the intended audience?

•        Has attention been paid to presenting the information as error-free (e.g., spelling, punctuation) as possible?

•        Is there a readily identifiable link back to the institutional or organizational home page?

•        Is the site reliably accessible?