Website Evaluation Website Evaluation for AP/Concurrentfor AP/Concurrent

Weber State UniversityWeber State University

Stewart LibraryStewart Library

Accuracy or credibilityAccuracy or credibility

Is the information provided based on Is the information provided based on proven facts?proven facts?

Is it published in a scholarly or peer-Is it published in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?reviewed publication?

Have you found similar information in a Have you found similar information in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?  scholarly or peer-reviewed publication? 

Author or authorityAuthor or authority

Who is the author?Who is the author? Is she or he affiliated with a reputable university Is she or he affiliated with a reputable university

or organization?or organization? What is the author's educational background or What is the author's educational background or

experience?experience? What is their area of expertise?What is their area of expertise? Has the author published in scholarly or peer Has the author published in scholarly or peer

reviewed publications?reviewed publications? Does the author/Web Master provide Does the author/Web Master provide contact information? contact information?

Coverage or relevanceCoverage or relevance

Does the information covered meet your Does the information covered meet your information needs?information needs?

Is the coverage basic or comprehensive?Is the coverage basic or comprehensive? Is there an "About Us" link that explains Is there an "About Us" link that explains

subject coverage?subject coverage? How relevant is it to your How relevant is it to your

research interests? research interests?

CurrencyCurrency

When was the information published?When was the information published?

When was the Web site was last updated. When was the Web site was last updated. 

Is timeliness important to your information Is timeliness important to your information need? need?

Objectivity or biasObjectivity or bias

How objective or biased is the information?How objective or biased is the information? What do you know about who is publishing this What do you know about who is publishing this

information?information? Is there a political, social or commercial Is there a political, social or commercial

agenda?agenda? Does the information try to inform or persuade?Does the information try to inform or persuade? How balanced is the presentation on opposing How balanced is the presentation on opposing

perspectives?perspectives? What is the tone of language used What is the tone of language used (angry, sarcastic, balanced, educated)? (angry, sarcastic, balanced, educated)?

Sources or documentationSources or documentation

Is there a list of references or works cited?Is there a list of references or works cited? Is there a bibliography?Is there a bibliography? Is there information provided to support Is there information provided to support

statements of fact?statements of fact? Can you contact the author or Web Master Can you contact the author or Web Master

to ask for, and receive, the sources used? to ask for, and receive, the sources used?

Publication andPublication andWeb Site DesignWeb Site Design

How well designed is the Web site?How well designed is the Web site? Is the information clearly focused?Is the information clearly focused? How easy to use is the information?How easy to use is the information? How easy is it to find information within the How easy is it to find information within the

publication or Web site?publication or Web site? Are the bibliographic references and links Are the bibliographic references and links

accurate, current, credible and relevant?accurate, current, credible and relevant? Are the Contact addresses for the Are the Contact addresses for the author(s) and Web Master(s) available author(s) and Web Master(s) available from the site? from the site?

Reliable WebsitesReliable Websites

.gov.gov

.edu.edu

www.pioneer.uen.orgwww.pioneer.uen.org

Website accreditationWebsite accreditation

SourcesSources

Weber State University Stewart Library, Weber State University Stewart Library, http://library.weber.edu/ref/guides/howto/ehttp://library.weber.edu/ref/guides/howto/evaluateinfo.cfm valuateinfo.cfm

Microsoft Office Online: Clip art and Microsoft Office Online: Clip art and Media, Media, http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.ashttp://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-uspx?lc=en-us