Website Evaluation

It is very important to carefully evaluate sources on the internet. Ebscohost, NOvaNet, Electric Library, and SIRS all contain information that is reliable; however, some websites may not. Complete the evaluation below for each site from the internet you include.

Authorship:

1. Can you determine the authorship? (Go to the home page to check.) If not, the source is suspicious.

Credibility:

1. Is the author of the site knowledgeable and credible?

2. Does the site offer links to the author’s home page, resume, or email?

3. List qualifications of the author.

Objectivity:

1. Does anyone sponsor the site?

2. A sites domain name gives clues as to the type of group hosting the site:

Example: commercial (com), educational (edu), government (gov). What is the domain name for the site?

Audience and Purpose:

1. Who is the intended audience of the site?

2. Why is the information posted on the site? To persuade? To sell a product?

Documentation:

1. Can you check out the links for the site to confirm its authority?

Quality of Presentation:

1. Examine the site.

2. Does it have spelling errors?

3. Is it easy to read?

4. Is the material current/