Be sure to save the following:
- Title of Source
- URL/Web address
- Author’s Name (if known)
- Date of publication, broadcast, or last revision
Evaluate site based on criteria below:
Authority
- Author/Organization is identifiable, i.e. information about the author or institutional affiliation and address are offered.
- Sponsor/location of the site (identified by URL or web address) is appropriate to the material, i.e. .edu for educational or research material.
- Contact information for the author or creator included.
- Email or submission form offered for questions or comments.
Scope
- Content relevant and useful.
- Includes a list of additional print or electronic sources.
- Links included relevant and appropriate to the site.
Currency
- Includes a publication or last revision date
- Includes a date of copyright, publication, or broadcast.
Purpose
- Intended audience is easily identifiable.
- Intent of information (to inform, teach, sell, persuade, entertain or enlighten) is clearly stated or implied.
Accuracy
- Includes references or displays knowledge of related sources, with proper attribution.
- Includes a bibliography or appropriate credits.
- Author provides both sides of the argument with no evidence of bias.
- Author has a bias (i.e. corporate, issue-based or perspective), if so, identify
When evaluating the information for usefulness in relation to a research project, although site design or appearance is often given the most weight in determining credibility, the above will be more important!
Usability
- Layout is clear and logical with well-organized subsections.
- Navigation is easy, includes clearly labeled Back, Home, Go To Top icons/links and internal indexing links on lengthy pages.
- Site loads quickly and is readily accessible.
- Graphics and art serve a function.
- All links to remote sites work.
- Communication style is appropriate for intended audience.
- Audio or text follows basic rules of grammar, spelling and composition.
