ANYONE can create a website, as long as they have a little bit of computer knowledge and access to an Internet server. Because of this, it's very important to evaluate websites, especially if you want to use their information for school. The rule of thumb is "when in doubt, doubt." When you carefully select your resources--when you understand their strengths and limits--you create better products.
When you evaluate websites, always start with common sense and then the ABCDs.
Ask yourself the following questions:
A. Authority:
- Who is responsible for this site?
- What are his/her credentials?
- Can you find out more about the author?
- What is the domain name? Does it end in .com, .gov, .edu, .org, .net? Is it a personal page?
B. Bias:
- Why was this site created? What does the author say is its purpose? (to persuade, inform, explain, sell, promote, parody, other?)
- Is only one side of the information presented? Does it appear that any information is purposely omitted? Is it trying to persuade you or change your opinion?
- Does the site distinguish facts from opinion?
C. Content:
- Where does the information come from?
- Have the authors of the site cited their own sources? Are the sources documented appropriately?
- Currency: Can you tell: the date the information was created? the publication date? the date the material was last revised? Are these dates meaningful in terms of the subject matter?
D. Design:
- Is the site user-friendly?
- Is there a well-labeled contents area?
- Do all the design elements (graphics, art, buttons, etc.) enhance the site? Is there consistency in the basic format of each page?
- Are there any errors in spelling or grammar?
- Do the pages appear clean, uncluttered?
- Do the links on the site work?
And finally,
- Would you include this site in your research?
Remember: The quality of your work depends on the quality of the information you use.