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Evaluating Websites

Who published the site? Is it a personal web page or put out by an institution?

What is the purpose of this site? Was the purpose stated or is it implied?

Who is the site designed for? Who is its intended audience?

When was the site created? When was it last updated? Is the date appropriate for the currency of the topic?

What type of information appears in the site? Does it provide in-depth information? Are the facts accurate?

Does the site provide well-documented information or a bibliography of references?

Does the site have any type of bias? Is the site trying to sway opinion or does it remain neutral?

Is this site suitable for academic work? Are there any major components missing that would make it a credible website?

The following sites may be useful in helping you evaluate online sources!

Eduplace Finding and Evaluating Web Sites
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/usingweb/g6-8.html

ALA Great Web Sites for Kids Selection Criteria http://www.ala.org/alsc/greatwebsites/greatwebsitesforkids/greatwebsites

UIUC Best Practices and Evaluation https://itaccessibility.illinois.edu/web-evaluation

Hoax Websites http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoaxsites.html and http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoaxsitesgr.html