EVALUATING
WEBSITES: A STUDENT'S GUIDE
The
quality of a website can important when doing research for a paper or just seeking
an answer to a question. The following questions can be used in evaluating a
website as to whether or not it is worthwhile. Following the criteria you will
find links to two sample websites as well as an evaluation of each.
Do
you know exactly what information you are seeking and do you have specific
questions on the topic you are exploring?
If
you are using a search engine, are your search terms specific?
2. Who created the website?
Is the site a personal website
created by an individual? If so, do they specify their qualifications to offer
the information listed?
If the site is produced by
a company or institution, is it the type of business that is qualified to
create such a site?
3. How current is the information?
Does the website provide a
date as to when it was last updated?
Is there a way to verify
(such as through provided links) to verify the age of the information offered?
4. How accurate is the
information?
Is the site free of obvious
typographical, grammatical or other errors that would indicate careless
construction?
Does the site provide
bibliographical information for the source of the facts provided?
5. Is there excessive bias
in the information?
Is the page designed to sway
opinion or is there other evidence of obvious bias?
Is their advertising on the
page that may indicate an ulterior purpose for the site?
6. What do others think of
this site?
Do you find this site
through the recommendation of another, reliable, resource?
If found using a search
engine, was it high in their ranking of recommended sites?
7. How easy is the site to
use?
Is the site easy to
navigate with a clean, attractive and inviting design?
Is the site clutter with pop-up
or other types of advertisements? Are any links provided in working order and
useful?
An Evaluation of Two Sample
Websites
1. What are you looking
for? A
kid-friendly site that would give me information about space satellites; what
they are, how they work, etc.
2. Who created the website?
The Tech
Museum of Innovation describes itself as a "hands-on technology and
science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds."
3. How current is the
information? The
site is copyrighted as of 2006 and its main website is updated with information
current as of this month.
4. How accurate is the
information? The
site provides source links to reputable resources such as the Lockheed Martin
Solar and Astrophysics Lab and the Stanford University Solar Lab.
5. Is there excessive bias
in the information? While
Lockheed Martin is a site sponsor, there is little for a defense contractor to
gain here other than good public relations.
There is no other advertising on the site.
6. What do others think of
this site?
It was found through an engine search for good science websites for kids.
7. How easy is the site to
use? It is
very easy to navigate with a clean, simple design. It also is very informative
with cool features such as the ability to design and create your own satellite.
1. What are you looking
for? A
kid-friendly site that would give me information about space satellites; what
they are, how they work, etc.
2. Who created the website?
The
National Reconnaissance Office is a governmental agency that designs, builds
and operates the nation's reconnaissance satellites. The described goal of the
site is to "engage children in the wonders of science, math and space in a
fun and interactive manner."
3. How current is the
information? The
site offered little information about dates, other than a promised 2003 feature
that linked to a page still under construction.
4. How accurate is the
information? As
the site was mostly made up of games, music, and simplistic children's stories,
there was little information that required verification.
5. Is there excessive bias
in the information? There
is no advertising on the site and no evidence of any particular bias other than
one towards really cheesy web design.
6. What do others think of
this site?
It was found on engine search for really bad web sites so others do not seem
think much of this one.
7. How easy is the site to
use? It is
easy to navigate, mostly because there is not much there.