|
Questions
to Ask |
Web Issues |
| Accuracy |
How reliable and free from error is the information?
How do you know?
Were there editors and fact checkers? |
- Anyone can publish on the Web
- Web resources may not be verified by editors or checked for
accuracy
- No standards yet developed
- Web pages move. If you quote this source, will it be available
later?
- Web pages are susceptible to accidental and deliberate alteration |
| Authority |
What are the author's qualifications and credentials for writing
about this subject?
How reputable is the publisher? |
- Often difficult to determine authorship of Web
sources
- Search engines may retrieve pages out of context making it
difficult to know where you are
- If author's name is listed, his/her qualifications are frequently
absent
- Publisher responsibility often not indicated or easily found |
| Objectivity |
Is the information presented with a minimum of
bias?
To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion
of the audience?
Who is responsible for its dissemination? |
- Goals and aims of the people or groups presenting material
is often unclear
- Web often functions as a "virtual soapbox"
- Distinction between advertising and information is blurred
on Web |
| Currency |
Is the content of the work up-to-date?
Is the publication/copyright date clearly labeled? |
- Dates not always included on Web pages
- If included, a date may have various meanings:
1. Date information first written
2. Date information placed on Web
3. Date information last revised |
| Coverage
or Scope |
What topics are included in the work?
Are the topics included explored in depth? |
- Web version may differ from print version of
same title
- Often hard to determine extent of Web coverage |
| Usability |
Is there a Table of Contents, Index, page numbers
to guide you?
Is it easy to navigate and read? |
- Is there a contents page, site map, navigation
bar?
- Is it easy to navigate and read?
- Are special plug-ins required?
- Is there a way to return to the "home page" to determine the
source of the information? |
Criteria for Evaluating ALL Types of Information