Five criteria for evaluating Web pages

1. Accuracy of Web Documents
   • Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
   • What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
   • Is this person qualified to write this document?
2. Authority of Web Documents
   • Who published the document and is it separate from the "Webmaster?"
   • Check the domain of the document. What institution publishes this document?
   • Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?
3. Objectivity of Web Documents
   • What goals/objectives does this page meet?
   • How detailed is the information?
   • What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?
4. Currency of Web Documents
   • When was it produced?
   • When was it updated?
   • How up-to-date are the links?
5. Coverage of the Web Documents
   • Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents’ theme?
   • Is the site all images or a balance of text and images?
   • Is the presented information cited correctly

For further information, please view the following Web site:

http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/webcrit.html

FROM: Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523