1. Example 14: Evaluation checklist (p. 23)
Web Page Evaluation Quick Checklist
Title of Website:
Examine the URL
Is it a personal page or site? i.e. no official sanction Yes No
Sometimes there is a personal name in the URL. This
will usually be preceded by a tilde ~
Is the page/site owned by an organisation? Yes No
Which domain extension does the site have? .com .org .ac.uk
Consider whether this is appropriate to the content of the .edu .gov other
site
Authority
Is there a named author/authors? Yes No
Are the author’s credentials indicated? Yes No
If not check them out! Try searching for the author on
Google.
Is the author an expert in the field? Yes No
Check to see if he /she has published widely in the field. Insufficient details
You could use an appropriate bibliographic database to
help you investigate.
Are the author/organisation contact details given? Yes No
This will be useful if any information needs to be verified.
Currency
Is a publication date given? Yes No
If so, how recent is it?
Is there an indication when the information was last Yes No
updated?
2. Quality / Reliability
Are the sources of the information identified, Yes No
referenced and cited?
What is the character of the information? Factual Opinion
Combination of both
Is the site well laid out and easily navigable? Yes No
Is the writing style informed /scholarly and Yes No
appropriate for an academic audience?
Are any provided links appropriate and still active? Yes No N/A
Is the information available in a different format? Yes No
Eg. As a published report, factsheet etc. This may
give some general indication of quality.
Does it all add up?
What is the overall purpose of the page? Inform, provide facts, data
You then need to consider whether this is Explain Entertain
commensurate with your requirements. Persuade Sell
The bottom line: In your opinion is the information of comparable quality with the
information that you will find in a journal article, book, or other conventionally published
source?
Yes No
If YES you should be able to use the information with confidence. If NO
LOOK ELSEWHERE!
Information Services NJM / 2009
