Website Evaluation*

Circle a number for each topic. Add up the score and use the following key to determine the
quality of the information found at the web site. There is no magic score that determines quality.

You have to use your best judgment in the process. This chart is just a guide, not a rule book.

16-17 - The information is top quality.

12-15 - The information appears accurate is probably useful, but may contain slight errors.

7-11 - The site contains material that is inaccurate, biased or missing important information

5-6 - My pet gerbil could have made a better site.

Accuracy	Can you find the same kind of information at other sites? Do you know who wrote the material and can you contact them?	4 - Very Accurate 3 - Fairly Accurate 2 - Not Very Accurate 1 - Inaccurate or False
Expertise	Is the author an expert on the subject? Do you know where they got their information and whether the source is a good one?	4 - Very Authoritative 3 - Fairly Authoritative 2 - Not Very Authoritative 1 - Not Authoritative at All
Bias/Objectivity	Is the author just doing a public service and providing a full picture or are they trying to sell something or convince you of something by offering only selected information?	3 - Totally Objective and Fair 2 - Doesn't give all the facts 1 - Is only trying to sell something or prove a point of view
Currency	When was the last time the site was updated? Is the material old or current? Is the site complete or under construction. Are there broken links?	3 - Information is right up to date 2 - Information is not current 1 - Information is too old to be useful
Coverage	Do they cover the topic well or just give certain information? Are the obvious gaps?	3 - A great deal of information about the topic. 2 - Provides a good deal of information, but could provide more 1 - Information focuses on only a small bit of the whole picture.

* Based upon the work of Jim Kapoun
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/webcrit.html