Topics Covered

1. Need for Evaluation of Web Sources
2. Review of the Five Traditional Print Evaluation Criteria
3. Adapting the Five Traditional Print Evaluation Criteria to Web Sources
4. Additional Challenges Presented by Web Sources and How to Cope with Them
5. Applying Evaluation Techniques to Specific Types of Web Resources
6. Conclusion
   
    

1. Need for Evaluation of Web Sources

1. Quality of sources varies tremendously
2. Techniques needed to evaluate Web resources
3. Some traditional print techniques still appropriate
4. New techniques also needed

2. Review of the Five Traditional Print Evaluation Criteria

1. Criterion #1: Accuracy
   1. How reliable and free from error is the information?
   2. Are there editors and fact checkers?
2. Criterion #2: Authority
   1. What are the author's qualifications for writing on this subject?
   2. How reputable is the publisher?
3. Criterion #3: Objectivity
   1. Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?
   2. To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience?
4. Criterion #4: Currency
   1. Is the content of the work up-to-date?
   2. Is the publication date clearly labeled?
5. Criterion #5: Coverage
   1. What topics are included in the work?
   2. Are the topics included explored in depth?

3. Adapting Five Traditional Print Evaluation Criteria to Web Resources

1. Criterion #1: Accuracy of Web Resources
   1. Almost anyone can publish on the Web
   2. Many Web resources not verified by editors and/or fact checkers
   3. Web Standards to ensure accuracy yet to be fully developed
2. Criterion #2: Authority of Web Resources
   1. Often difficult to determine authorship of Web Sources
   2. If author's name is listed, his/her qualifications frequently absent
   3. Publisher responsibility often not indicated
3. Criterion #3: Objectivity of Web Resources
   1. Goals/aims of persons or groups presenting material often not clearly stated
   2. Web often functions as a "virtual soapbox"
4. Criterion #4: Currency of Web Resources
   1. Dates not always included on Web pages
   2. If included, a date may have various meanings:
      1. Date information first written
      2. Date information placed on Web
      3. Date information last revised
5. Criterion #5: Coverage of Web Resources
   1. Web coverage may differ from print coverage
   2. Often hard to determine extent of Web coverage

4. Additional Challenges Presented by Web Resources And How To Cope With Them

1. Marketing-Oriented Web Pages
   1. Challenge
      1. In print sources, usually clear distinction between advertising and information
      2. On the Web, the distinction between advertising and information can easily become blurred
   2. Coping Strategy
      1. Determine if advertising and informational content are being supplied by the same person or organization
      2. If so, advertising likely to bias informational content
2. "Infommercial" Web Pages
   1. Challenge
      1. Blending of Entertainment, Information, and Advertising on Web Pages
   2. Coping Strategy
      1. Caveat Emptor: View these Web pages with the same critical eye you would an infommercial
3. Use of Hypertext Links
   1. 1. Challenge
      1. Quality of Web pages linked to original Web page may vary
   2. 2. Coping Strategy
      1. Evaluate each Web page independently
4. Software Requirements May Limit Access to Web Information
   1. Challenge
      1. Full access may require additional software
      2. Browsers may alter the appearance of Web Pages
   2. Coping Strategy
      1. Be aware that software may limit how much information you obtain and how the information appears on your screen
5. Web Pages Out of Context
   1. Challenge
      1. Search Engines can retrieve Web Pages out of context
      2. May or may not be a way of determining source of information
   2. 2. Coping Strategy
      1. Always try to return to the "home page" to determine source of information
6. Instability of Web Pages
   1. Challenge
      1. Web pages may move or disappear without notice
   2. Coping Strategy
      1. Try to determine the stability of your source
      2. Document source to the fullest extent possible
7. Susceptibility of Web Pages to Alteration
   1. Challenge
      1. Web pages are susceptible to both accidental and deliberate alteration
   2. Coping strategy
8. Attempt to verify information using other sources

5. Applying Evaluation Techniques to Specific Types of Web Resources

Step 1: Identify the Type of Web Page

1. Entertainment
2. Business/Marketing
3. Reference/Informational
4. News
5. Advocacy
6. Personal Page

Step 2: Use the Appropriate Checklist

Step 3: Based on the Checklist Criteria, Determine the Relative Quality of the Web Page

• The more "yes" answers to questions indicates a higher quality Web page

6. Conclusion: Remember!

The Web is only one source of information

1. It can be very useful for researching certain topics
2. It can be almost useless for other topics
3. To research a topic thoroughly, use a variety of sources both Web and non-Web

Web evaluation techniques are just beginning to be developed

Technology is outpacing ability to create standards and guidelines

Establishing evaluation procedures will be an ongoing evolutionary process

Copyright Widener University, 1996, 2007

Comments: Marsha.A.Tate@widener.edu or Janet.E.Alexander@widener.edu