|
Evaluation of Web documents |
How to interpret the basics |
|
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? |
Accuracy ·
Make sure
author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number. ·
Know the
distinction between author and Webmaster. |
|
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? |
Authority ·
What
credentials are listed for the authors)? · Where is the document published? Check URL domain. |
|
3. Objectivity of Web Documents ·
What
goals/objectives does this page meet? ·
How detailed is
the information? · What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author? |
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? |
|
4. Currency of Web Documents ·
When was it
produced? ·
When was it
updated' ·
How up-to-date
are the links (if any)? |
Currency ·
How many dead
links are on the page? ·
Are the links
current or updated regularly? ·
Is the
information on the page outdated? |
|
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? |
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? |
|
Putting it all together Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that
published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her and . . . Authority. If your page lists the author credentials and its
domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and, . . Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with
limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and .
. . Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as
stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and . . . Coverage. If you can view the information properly--not
limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then . . . You may have a Web page that could be of value to
your research! |
|
Source: Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB
evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August
1998): 522-523.
Reprinted with permission of the author.