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Examining a Web Site

Web sites, like other published information, have authors, dates of publication and (usually) a title. They may also have sponsoring organizations or be part of a larger site or publication, such as an online journal. This information is not always obvious on every web page you find, so it helps if you know where to look for it.

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  • File / Properties (Explorer)

    • Web Site Evaluation

    Below are 5 criteria for evaluating sources, along with some suggestions that apply to each. Using these criteria, evaluate the assigned web site to see if it is one you would use for a research paper. Be prepared to share your findings with the class.

    Accuracy
  • Typographical or spelling errors?
  • Statistical data clearly labeled?
  • Sources of information properly cited?

    • Authority
    • URL (address) – look for "/~name" as an indicator of a personal site
    • Domain name
    • Author / sponsor’s name clearly given with qualifications?
    • Contact information given for author / sponsor?

    Coverage
    • Web site complete or under construction?
    • Is there a print equivalent to the Web site?
    • Web site valuable as compared to other information sources?

    Currency
    • Dates clearly indicated or easy to find?
    • Date page was first placed on the Web?
    • Date page was last revised?

    Objectivity
    • Information intended as a public service or is it an advertisement?
    • If advertising present, is it separate from informational content?
    • Author / sponsor biased (limited point-of-view)?

     

    Web Site Evaluation Exercise

    The following are lists of web pages to be evaluated. Go to the URL listed under each title to see whether (and if) these pages meet the five Web Site Evaluation Criteria outlined above.

    • Martin Luther King Jr.

    http://www.martinlutherking.org

    • Worldwide Labs’ Melatonin Central

    http://www.melatonin.com/

    • Immigration Statistics

    http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/index.htm

    • Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!

    http://media.circus.com/~nodhmo/

    • Feline Reactions to Bearded Men

    http://www.improb.com/airchives/classical/cat/cat.html

    • Save the Northwest Tree Octopus
    http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
    • Bedford University

    http://www.belforduniversity.org/