Website evaluation

Assessing the accuracy

• Reliability: Is the author’s affiliation a known, respectable institution?
• References: Do facts and statistics receive appropriate references to their source?
• Is a reference list included?
• Is the information provided correct and free of errors?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical mistakes?
• Are the facts comparable to those you have encountered on other websites on the same subject?
• Are the web links on the site quality sources?

Assessing the authority

• Who is the author of the site?
• What is their affiliation (connection with an institution)?
• What are their expertise and experience?
• What are their credentials?
• Is there contact information for the author/organization?
• What does the domain indicate about the source?

Assessing the objectivity

• What bias (explicit or implied) does the page contain?
• Are there any opinions stated or implied?
• Is information presented objectively?
• What is the intent of the advertisement; does advertising conflict with the content?
• Who is the intended audience?

Assessing the purpose

• Is the purpose of the site clear?
• Is the purpose teaching, informing, persuading or entertaining?
• Does the site content support its purpose?
• Who is the audience?
• Does the site evaluate outside links it provides?

Assessing the currency

• Is the information current and regularly updated?
• When was the page first created?
• When was the information last revised?
• Are links up-to-date and working?

Assessing the coverage & relevance

• Does the site contain comprehensive or selective information?
• How in-depth is the coverage?
• Is the information useful and related to your topic?
• Does the information answer your question(s)?
• Do the links connect to outside sites?
• Compare the usefulness of the site’s information to other sites on similar topics.