Website Evaluation Questions

Criteria for Assessing the Quality of Information

These five criteria are useful for assessing the quality of a site as a resource, as well as evaluating the quality of a site's content. They come from the following college library sites: Evaluation Criteria from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources and Cornell University Library's Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages.

1.  Is the information accurate?

• Is the information reliable and free of errors?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes?
• Can the facts be verified in another source?
• Is there an editor or someone to verify the information presented?

2.  Who is the author and what are his/her credentials?

• Is it clear who the author is?
• Is the author a qualified expert with credentials listed?
• Is there contact information or an email address included?
• Where is the document published (.edu, .org, and .gov are preferred)?
• Who is the sponsor of the site?
• Are there advertisements?

3.  How objective is the source?

• What kind of bias (explicit or implied) does the page have?
• What are the opinions expressed?
• Is the page an advertisement?
• Are there obtrusive pop-up windows?
• Is the advertising clearly differentiated from the informational content?
• Is it clearly stated why the page was written and for whom?
• Is the information presented objectively?

4.  How current is the information?

• Is the page dated?
• When was the last update?
• Are the links current or have they moved or expired?
• Is any information on the page outdated?

5.  How extensive is the coverage of information?

• What topics are covered?
• Is the purpose and scope of the site clear?
• How comprehensive is the site?
• How in-depth is the material?
• Is the information useful?
• Is the site easy to navigate?
• Does it contain an index, site map or FAQ?
• What does the page offer that is not found elsewhere?
• How interactive is the site?
• Is there a balance of text and images?
• Does the site back its arguments with specific evidence?
• Is the information cited correctly?
• Was permission or licensing obtained for the use of copyrighted images and multimedia?
• Are there fees for obtaining the information?
• Can the information be viewed properly?
  

Criteria for Evaluating the Quality of a Website

The criteria below are loosely taken from http://www.worldbestwebsites.com/ judging criteria, which has a five star points system for determining the "best" sites on the Web.

1.  How universally accessible is the site?

• Does it load quickly?
• Is it viewable in different browsers?
• Is it viewable in different operating systems?
• Is it available for people with disabilities?
• Can it be understood by people with various levels of education and/or from different cultural backgrounds?

2.  Is the site well-designed?

• Is there an over-all integration of design throughout the website?
• Does the design allow for easy navigation?
• Is it visually appealing?
• How is the use of spacing, layers, tables, borders, dividers and backgrounds?
• Is the page design overwhelming or confusing?
• How appropriate is the use of color and shapes?
• Is there a unified feel to the site?
• Is the font readable?

3.  Does the site contain high quality content?

Use the Criteria for Assessing the Quality of Information listed above: accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and coverage.

4.  Are Internet technologies fully utilized?

• Does the way in which technologies are used fit with the purpose of the site?
• Are there uses of technology that detract from the site's purpose or appeal (i.e. long FLASH intros, obtrusive use of sounds and animations, etc.)?
• Are multimedia aspects of the Web emphasized?
• Are interactive technologies used (i.e. chat rooms, bulletin boards, optional sound, video or games, surveys, search options, Java programs, etc.)?
• Is the site technologically impressive?

5.  How original/creative is the site?

• How unique is the Web site?
• Is it distinguishable from other similar sites?
• Is the site distinct and memorable?
• Does the site offer things not found elsewhere?
• How much of the site is original material?