EVALUATING INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET

Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library - Pacific Lutheran University

Like other resources, the information found on the Internet should be evaluated. There are many ways to assess the materials you find on the Internet. This handout discusses some of them.

CONTENT

· Authority:
    Do you know who is the creator/author of the information?
    Is it an individual or a group?
    Is the creator an authority on the subject?
    Is there an email address so you can contact the creator?

· Currency
    Is the information current?
    Can you tell if the website has been updated recently?
    Does your research project depend on up-to-date information?

· Accuracy
    Is the information accurate?
    Can you verify it?
    Does the information agree with other research you have found?
    Is the information free from bias? Is this "real" information or an advertisement?
    Is it a deliberate fraud?

· Coverage
    Is the information unique or can you find the same information many other places?
    How valuable is the information?

· Comprehensiveness
    How comprehensive is the information?
    Are there links to more information?

· Reputation
    Is the site recommended by a reputable (knowledgeable) person/publication/institution?

· Audience
   Who is the intended audience?
 

STRUCTURE

· Is the information arranged in a useful manner? Is the site easy to navigate?

· Are the graphics useful, decorative, or annoying?

· Are the title and headings descriptive?

· Is the site easy to use? Are there instructions on the use of the web site?

· If there are links, do they all work?

· Can people access the information with non-graphical browsers?

· Does the site load quickly? Are there unnecessary graphics that slow it down?

· Is the site easy to locate? If you can't find it you can't use it!

· BARE BONES 101: Evaluating Web Pages  http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/lesson5.html

· How to Evaluate Web Sites http://cac.psu.edu/~dxm12/siteval.html

· Internet Detective http://sosig.ac.uk/desire/internet-detective.html

· Criteria for Evaluating Web Sites http://www.lib.waldenu.edu/judge_4.html

· Evaluating the Information Found on the WWW
   http://www.umsl.edu/~libweb/guides/internet.htm#EVALUATING

· Beyond "Cool": Analog Models for Reviewing Digital Resources
  http://www.onlineinc.com/onlinemag/SeptOL/rettig9.html

· Evaluating Web Resources
  http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/cklstlnk.htm

· Evaluating Web Sites http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/cic/sr/evaluate.htm

· Evaluating Information Found on the Internet
  http://milton.mse.jhu.edu:8001/research/education/net.html

· Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources
  http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/instruct/web/critical.htm
 
 

Some information for this handout came from: Esther Grassian from UCLA College Library, Boyd R. Collins, Library Journal, v. 121 (February 1, 1996) p. 32+, Paul Nichols and Jacqueline Ridley, Computers in Libraries, (April 1996) pp. 34-39. and Kirk Doran Computers in Libraries, v. 15 (June, 1995) p. 22+.

 
 

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