Evaluating Web Resources

Evaluating Web Resources Using search techniques taught improves your chances of getting good “hits” Next step is to evaluate the quality of the sites found Anyone can publish information to the Internet without the stringent proofing, editing, fact-checking, etc. that goes into print resources

Evaluating Web Resources Sometimes a detailed evaluation of websites isn’t necessary Depends upon the nature of the research you’re doing If you’re looking for a definite answer to a simple question, the evaluation process probably doesn’t apply

Examples of simple searches: What is the history of the Goods and Services Tax in Canada? Who do I contact to get information about running a business that imports livestock from other countries? How to I set my Microsoft Windows to automatically check for/retrieve on-line updates?

Evaluating Web Resources Sometimes the nature of your research is a bit more complex and requires you to use a number of different sources Typical if you were trying to research the answer to a question, or gather relevant data to make an informed presentation In these cases evaluating the quality of your “hits” is important

Examples of more complex searches: How do I most effectively start up and beginning running a small business? What would be the best piece of time/project management software to use in my company? What are the causes of the war in Afghanistan?

Traditional Criteria for Evaluating Printed Resources These five areas are considered when evaluating the value of printed material. Accuracy Authority Objectivity Currency Coverage

Criteria for Evaluating Web Resources Same criteria can be adapted to evaluate the value of web resources as well.

I. Accuracy ac·cu·ra·cy    - precise; exact; conforming to the facts; quality of being near the truth.

Accuracy Is the information reliable? What type of website is it? (e.g. professional websites will be more accurate than personal, for example) Can the information be backed up by other resources? Does it agree with/disagree with what you’ve read on other sites or in print resources?

Accuracy Is the information free from errors? e.g. spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and the data itself Is the information checked by someone? often difficult to tell, but look for evidence (e.g. if the site sponsored by some credible organization)

II. Authority au·thor·i·ty - an accepted source of expert information or advice

Authority Who wrote the content of the page? what type of website is it? an individual writing? an individual on behalf of an organization? an unnamed source writing on behalf of an organization

Authority What are the author’s qualifications or credentials for writing about the subject? Educated in the field? Experienced in the field? Otherwise considered an expert by others? Has been published in peer-reviewed, print publications

Authority Is there an organization that the author is affiliated with? Does mentioning the association necessarily mean that the organization has approved the content?

Authority Is the page sponsored by some organization?

III. Objectivity ob·jec·tive - the quality of being uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudice

Objectivity Is the information presented with the least amount of bias possible? Is there a product/service being offered for sale? Bias is not necessarily “bad”, but the connection should be clear Is there a list of works cited (that are themselves credible and authoritative)?

Objectivity Is the author trying to sway the viewers opinion or action on a social/political issue?

IV. Currency cur·ren·cy - the state of the content being current, or, up-to-date

Currency Is there a date clearly indicated on the site? Does the viewer know what this date means? Date created? Date last updated? Are there dead or out-of-date links? On a timely topic more current information is generally preferred. e.g. tips on buying a personal computer

V. Coverage cov·er·age – the extent or degree to which something is observed, analyzed, and reported

Coverage Are all relevant issues/points concerning the particular topic covered? To what depths are the topics covered? Are opposing viewpoints given and addressed? Are there print resources that can supplement and validate web resources?