EVALUATING WEB SITES

When searching the Internet it is important to realize that the information provided in web sites can vary greatly in accuracy and reliability. The Internet is an unregulated medium where anyone is free to express their opinion. This freedom is one of the Internet's biggest strengths, but also one of its biggest weaknesses. Freedom allows a wide variety of information and opinions to be voiced but it also can lead to inaccuracy and bias. By using some basic critical thinking skills you can arm yourself against some of the pitfalls of the Internet.

The web sites listed here provide some basic guidelines as to what to look for when evaluating web sites. Traditionally, evaluation has been divided into five categories: accuracy, authority, objectivity/bias, currency, and coverage.

Five criteria for evaluating Web pages (Cornell University)

Evaluation Criteria (New Mexico State University)

QUICK -- The Quality Information Checklist

This page last updated on November 13, 2007.