Evaluating Web Resources

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Evaluating Web Resources

• Lake Agassiz Regional Library12/17/02
• LL

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Why Evaluate Web Sites?

• The quality of Web resources varies tremendously.
• Anyone can publish anything on the Web.

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Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Sites

• Accuracy
• Authority
• Objectivity
• Currency
• Coverage

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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?
• Is this person qualified to write this document?
• Examples

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Contact Information
Organizations Name
Contact Link
http//www.larl.org
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Purpose of the Document
www.onion.com
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Is this person qualified to write this document?
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2.) Authority of Web Documents

• Who published the document?
• Check the domain of the document.
• Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?

Examples
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Who Published the Site?
http//147.129.226.1/libraryresearch/AIDSFACTS.htm

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Who Owns the Domain Name?
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3.) Objectivity of Web Documents

• What goals or objectives does this page meet?
• How detailed is the information?
• What opinions are expressed?

Examples
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Goals or Objectives
www.hatsofmeat.com
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Detailed Information
www.nps.gov/
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Any Opinions?
http//www.angelfire.com/tv/infomercial/human_grow
th_hormone_16.htm
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Blending of Information
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4.) Currency of A Web Document

• When was it produced?
• When was it updated?
• How up-to-date are the links?

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When was the Site Produced and Updated?
www.bookbrowser.com
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5.) Coverage of the Web Documents

• Are the links evaluated and do they complement
  the sites theme?
• Does the site require additional software or
  require a special browser?
• Is the site free or fee?

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Evaluated Links?
www.lii.org
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Additional Software?

• Software Examples
• Real Player
• Media Player
• Shockwave
• Macromedia Flash

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Fee or Free?
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Any Questions or Comments?