Reliance on web-based resources is increasing and is sometimes unavoidable. Considering that teachers are busy and have limited time, it seems that some web-resource evaluation criteria will be a necessary tool to use both in this project and during normal work. A few tips are listed and described below.

Quality of Web resources varies tremendously, but how does one go about separating the useful stuff from the rest?

Clearly some criteria are needed to evaluate Web resources. Such criteria can use a combination of traditional as well as new approaches.

The traditional approach has five focus points:

1. Accuracy
2. Authority
3. Objectivity
4. Currency
5. Coverage

Criterion 1: Accuracy

• How reliable and free from error is the information?
• Are there editors and fact checkers?

Accuracy of Web Resources is an important aspect in education. Anyone can publish on the Web and many Web resources are not verified by editors, so educators need to be particularly careful.

Criterion 2: Authority

• What are the author's qualifications for writing on the subject?
• How reputable is the publisher?

It is often difficult to determine authorship of Web resources. In the cases where the author's name is listed, his/her qualifications frequently absent.

Criterion 3: Objectivity

• Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?
• To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience?

Criterion 4: Currency

• Is the content of the work up-to-date?
• Is the publication date clearly indicated?

Dates are not always included on Web pages. Where this is included, a date may have various meanings including the following date first created, date placed on Web, or date last revised.

Criterion 5: Coverage

• What topics are included in the work?
• To what depth are topics explored?

Web coverage may differ from print or other media coverage. It is often hard to determine extent of Web coverage.

A problem arises where one has to take into consideration the fact that there are additionalchallenges presented by Web resources such as:

• Use of Hypertext Links that may link to pages of a different quality
• Use of Frames
• Search Engines can retrieve pages out of context

Additional Challenges Presented by Web Resources

• Software requirements may limit access
• Instability of web pages
• Susceptibility of web pages to alteration
• Software requirements may limit access to information

Web Page Evaluation Procedure

Step 1: Identify type of page
Step 2: Use appropriate checklist
Step 3: Based on checklist criteria, determine relative quality of page

Step 1: Identify the Type of Web Page

• Advocacy
• Business/Marketing
• Informational
• News
• Personal
• Entertainment

Step 2: Use the Appropriate Checklist

• Answer questions with Yes or No

Step 3: Based on the Checklist Criteria, Determine the Relative Quality of the Web Page

• The greater number of checklist questions answered yes, the more likely the page is of higher informational quality

A Checklist of Questions for Evaluating Web Sites

• Who is the author/source?
• What are the author's reputation and qualifications in the subject covered?
• Is the information on the site accurate?
• Is the information presented in an objective, balanced manner?
• How does the site compare with other sites on the same subject?
• Does the site contribute something unique on the subject?
• Is the material on the site covered adequately?
• How current is the information?
• Is the site appropriate for the intended audience?
• Is the information well-written?
• How stable is the connection to the site?
• How well is the site maintained?
• Does the site tell you when it was last updated?
• If there are links to other sites, do they work?
• Is it easy to move around and locate information on the site?
• Does the site require additional software or hardware?
• Do illustrations, video, or audio add value to the site?