CRITERIA Authority Purpose Coverage Accuracy Objectivity Currency Appearance

CRITERIA • • Authority Purpose Coverage Accuracy Objectivity Currency Appearance

AUTHORITY Who made this Questions to ask… • Is there an author? What are his or her qualifications? • Is it clear who is responsible for the contents of the page? • Is there a way of verifying the legitimacy of the organization, group, company or individual? • Is there any indication of the author's qualifications for writing on a particular topic? • Is the information from sources known to be reliable?

PURPOSE What is the purpose? Questions to ask… • What is the purpose of the Web site? • scholarly information? • To provide educational or factual information? • To entertain? • To advertise, market or sell something? • To advocate ideas? To persuade you? • Or, is there another purpose?

COVERAGE is the information primary or secondary to the site. Questions to ask… • How does the site compare with other sites on this topic? • Is material covered in depth rather than superficially? • What does this page offer that is not found elsewhere? • Is the site readily viewable, not needing special software or requiring a fee? • Does the work update other sources, substantiate other materials you have read, or add new information? Does it extensively or marginally cover your topic?

ACCURACY Is the information presented accurate? Questions to ask… • Is the information reliable and correct? • Do the conclusions appear to be well-reasoned and supported by the facts presented? • Is the information properly referenced? • Are the facts documented or well-researched? • Are the facts similar to those reported in related print or other online sources? • Are the Web resources for which links are provided quality sites?

OBJECTIVITY Is the purpose and intention of the site clear, including any bias or particular viewpoint? . Questions to ask… • Is the information free from obvious bias? • Do they take into account other peoples views? • Is there advertising on the page? • What is the purpose of the site? To sell, to inform, to persuade? • View any Web page as you would an infommercial on television. Ask yourself: why was this written and for whom?

CURRENCY The page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and. . . Questions to ask… • How recent is the information? • How recently has the website been updated? • Do all the links work, or have many expired? • Might there be more current information available elsewhere?

APPEARANCE / USEABILTY Is the site well-designed and stable? Questions to ask… • Does the site have a professional appearance? • Does it use proper grammar, spelling, and composition? • Is the site organization logical and easy to manuever? • Is the content written at a level that is readable by the intended audience? • Is the site reliably accessible?