Evaluating Websites
5 W’s for Evaluating Web Sites
-- Who created the site?
I can tell who wrote the page
I can see a way to contact the author
I can find information about the author and his
credentials (degrees, experience)
I don’t see obvious misspellings or
grammar mistakes
If associated with an organization, I can tell it is
reputable
--What is the purpose of
the site?
I can tell the purpose of the site, which is
To inform/explain
To report news
To share personal information or interests
To entertain
To sell/advertise (check for bias!)
To persuade/present a particular viewpoint
(check for bias!)
--When was the web site
created?
I can tell when the page was first created
I can tell when the site was last updated
I found that all (or most) of the links still work
I can tell the information is current enough for
my use
-- Where does the site
“live” ?
I have examined the site’s URL and looked at
extensions, such as .com or .gov
.edu=educational institution
.com=commercial enterprise
.gov=government
.org=not-for-profit organization
.net=Internet service provider
.mil=military
and
Where did the information
come from?
I can tell where the author got his information
(look for a bibliography, “works cited,”
or other references)
I can find the same information in at least
one other source
-- Why should I use this
source?
I can tell there is enough information to answer
at least some of my questions
I know to always use more than one source,
for example, other web sites, books,
databases, periodical articles,
or interviews
