Let's review the criteria, measures, or standards that we can use to evaluate Web sites. It is important for Web users to evaluate the sites they use, because there are few standards on the Web. Anyone can create a Web site, and make it look useful, even if it's not! Stick with the sites that you know are reliable.
Remember: There is no right way or wrong way to evaluate a Web site. Some criteria/standards may be important to you. Others may not matter to you. You may have thought of criteria or standards that were not on our list. That is okay! It's all about using common sense.
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS AND ISSUES WHEN EVALUATING WEB SITES:
ACCURACY
- Is the site fact-checked or verified in some way?
- Is the information accurate and factual?
- Are the authors experts?
CREDIBILITY
- Is it relatively easy to determine who authored or wrote the site?
- Can you tell who produces or sponsors the site?
- Are the author's or sponsor's qualifications clear?
- Do you feel that the information is valid and legitimate?
- Is there anything suspect or strange about the site, or does it seem perfectly legitimate?
OBJECTIVITY
- Is the point-of-view or agenda of the site producers clearly stated?
- Is the site merely a "soapbox" for a person's or group's political or social agenda?
- Is the site objective and free from bias?
- What are the motivations of the site producers and authors?
- Do you notice any potential conflicts of interests?
INTENDED AUDIENCE
- Is the site's intended audience made clear?
- Who will use the site?
- Is the point-of-view or agenda stated or made obvious?
- Is the purpose of the site clearly stated?
TIMELINESS: IS A WEB SITE UP-TO-DATE?
- Does the site have a date?
- Can you tell when it was last updated?
- How often is the site updated?
- How often are links verified?
- How often is the site fact-checked?
- Can you tell whether the information is current or outdated?
STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY
- Is the site organized clearly and logically?
- Are the menu options clear and easy to understand?
- Is the site well written?
- Is the site easy to navigate or easy to move around in?
- Can you find the home page, or do you get lost easily?
- Do the links work? Or, do they frequently lead to a dead-end?
INTERNAL SEARCH FEATURES
- Does the site have a "search" or "go" option?
- Is a "site map" available?
- What kinds of searching are available in the site?
- Does the search feature find what you want?
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
- Is the information you input about yourself confidential?
- Does a site "sell" your email address to advertisers?
- Does a site require registration? If so, how do you determine what is done with the information you've provided?
- Are there privacy or confidentiality options that you can select?
- Is this Web site operated by an established, legitimate organization?
ADVERTISING? OR CONTENT?
- Can you tell where the content begins... and where the ads end?
- Does the advertising bias the informational content?
- Is informational content mixed with entertainment or advertising?
- Is the advertising provided by same organization that provides the informational content?
REGISTRATION REQUIRED, 'TEASERS', AND LIMITED FREE-OF-CHARGE ACCESS
- Does a site contain "teasers" -- leading you to think the information is available when it actually is not?
- Does a formerly "free" site suddenly require a fee-based subscription?
- Are certain sections or pages of a site restricted to paying customers only?
- Can you determine exactly what you will be paying for?
Are there any criteria or standards that are important to you that we did not include on our list? Write your ideas here:
Print this page and keep it as a handy guide.
TUTORIAL MENU
