Evaluating Web Sites

The Internet may not be the best source of information on a subject.  Traditional resources should also be consulted to enhance what is retrieved from the Internet.  When evaluating sites found on the Internet, be sure to use the same critical judgment used when evaluating printed materials.

What makes a good Web site?

Is the information accurate?

• Is the information reliable and error-free?
• Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the information?
  

Reasons for concern

• Anyone can publish anything on the Web.
• Unlike traditional print resources, Web resources rarely have editors or fact-checkers.
• Currently, no standards exist on the Web to ensure accuracy.

It is especially important to be careful with health related web sites.

• Blue Stuff  http://www.bluestuff.com
  

Who wrote the web page?

• Is there an author?  Is the page signed?
• Is the author qualified?  An expert?
• Is there a sponsor? Who is the sponsor?
  

Reasons for concern

• It's often hard to determine a Web page's authorship.
• Even if a page is signed, qualifications aren't usually given.
• Sponsorship may not be indicated.

Similar URLs can lead to very different Web sites:

• Welcome to the White House  http://www.whitehouse.gov
• Welcome to the White House  http://www.whitehouse.net

Is there a bias or point of view?

• Does the information show a minimum of bias?
• Is the page designed to sway opinion?
• Is there advertising on the page?

Reasons for concern

• Frequently the goals of the sponsors/authors aren't clearly stated.
• Many people publish on the Web to express personal opinions.

What is the point of view represented by these sites?

• Global Warming Information Page   http://www.globalwarming.org/
• EPA Global Warming Site  http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming

Is the material up to date?

• Is the page dated? If so, when was the last update?
• How current are the links?
• Have some expired or moved?

Reasons for concern

• Publication or revision dates are not always provided.
• If a date is provided, it may indicate when the material was first written, when it was first placed on the Web, or when it was last revised.

News sites are often very up-to-date.

• CNN  http://www.cnn.com
• ESPN.com http://espn.go.com

Is the page easy to use?

• Is the site laid out clearly and logically with well-organized sections?
• Do links to other sites work?
• Is the writing style appropriate for the intended audience?

Reasons for concern

• Despite their excellent content, web sites that are difficult to read or navigate are confusing.

Which of these web sites is easy to use?

• Intellicast  http://www.intellicast.com
• Healthfinder http://www.healthfinder.gov

< PREVIOUS | NEXT >

TOP...