Evaluation of Web documents
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How to interpret the basics
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1. Accuracy of Web Documents
- Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
- What is the purpose of the document and why was it
produced?
- Is this person qualified to write this document?
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1. Accuracy
- Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone
number.
- Know the distinction between author and Webmaster.
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2. Authority of Web Documents
- Who published the document and is it separate from
the "Webmaster?"
- Check the domain of the document, what institution
publishes this document?
- Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?
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2. Authority
- What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
- Where is the document published? Check URL domain.
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3. Objectivity of Web Documents
- What goals and/or objectives does this page meet?
- How detailed is the information?
- What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?
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3. Objectivity
- Determine if page is a mask for advertising; if so
information might be biased.
- View any Web page as you would an infommercial on television.
Ask yourself why was this written and for whom?
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4. Currency of Web Documents
- When was it produced?
- When was it updated?
- How up-to-date are the links (if any)?
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4. Currency
- How many dead links are on the page?
- Are the links current or updated regularly?
- Is the information on the page outdated?
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5. Coverage of the Web Documents
- Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement
the documents’ theme?
- Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
- Is the information presented cited correctly?
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5. Coverage
- If page requires special software to view the information,
how much are you missing if you don’t have the software?
- Is it free, or is there a fee, to obtain the information?
- Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested
browser for better viewing?
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To Summarize ... Accuracy:
If your page lists the author & institution that published the page & provides
a way of contacting him/her, & …
Authority:
If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu,
.gov, .org, or .net), & …
Objectivity:
If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising & is
objective in presenting the information, and …
Currency:
If your page is current & updated regularly (as stated on the page) & the
links (if any) are also up-to-date, & …
Coverage:
If you can view the information properly — not limited to fees, browser
technology, or software requirement, then …
You may have a higher quality Web page that
could be of value to your research!
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| Copyright:
Kapoun, Jim. “Teaching
undergrads WEB evaluation.” C&RL News, July/August
1998, p. 523. |
