Delaware Technical & Community College Libraries


Evaluative Criteria for Web Page Evaluation*


Types of Web Pages


Questions to Consider When Evaluating a Web Page:

Authority

1.       Is it clear who or what organization is sponsoring the page?
          If not, you can go to Register.com to find out who owns the domain name.
2.       Is there a way of verifying the legitimacy of the page’s sponsor?
          Is there a phone number or postal address (not just an email address) to use to contact for more information?
3.       Is it clearly stated on the page who wrote the material and what the author’s qualifications are for writing on this topic?
4.       Is there a link to a page describing the goals, nature or purpose of the sponsor?
5.       If the information is copyrighted, is the name of the copyright holder given?
6.       Is there an equivalent in print or other media, which would provide a way of verifying the information?
7.       Go to Snopes2.com to review documented web-related hoaxes or urban legends.



Accuracy

1.       Are the sources for any factual information clearly listed so they can be verified in another source?
2.       Is the information free of spelling and grammatical errors? (These types of errors may lead to inaccuracies in information.)
3.       Is it clear who has the ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of the contents?
4.       Is any statistical data clearly labeled and easy to read?



Objectivity

1.       For any given piece of information, is it clear what the organization’s, company’s or person’s motivation is for presenting it?
2.       Is any advertising on the page clearly separated from the informational content?
3.       Are any editorials and opinion pieces clearly labeled?
4.       Are there statements or attempts to persuade the reader without supporting factual information being cited?



Currency

1.       Are there dates on the page to indicate when the page was written? When it was first placed on the Web? When it was last
          revised?
2.       Are there any other indications that the page is kept up-to-date?
3.       When was any data presented gathered?
4.       If the information is from a work that is out of copyright, is there any indication that there has been an effort to update the
          information?



Coverage

1.       Are there any indications that the page has been completed or is still under construction?
2.       Is there clear indication that the entire work is available on the Web or only parts of it?
3.       Is the complete document available in print or another media?
4.       Is the scope of the topic clearly defined?
5.       Does the page succeed in addressing the full scope of the topic or are significant portions left out?
6.       Are there links to other sites that provide more information on the topic?



Style & Functionality

1.       Is the writing style appropriate for the intended audience?
2.       Is the site organized with clearly labeled sections?
3.       Are links easy to identify and grouped in a logical manner?
4.       Do links to remote sites work?
5.       Is the site easy to navigate, providing links such as Home, Go to Top, or Back?
6.       Is a Search option offered, for longer sites?



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* Much of the above information comes from the Widener University, Wolfgram Memorial Library checklists for evaluating different types of Web pages, as well as other sources in the literature. For further information see Evaluating Web Resources.


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Delaware Technical & Community College
Wilmington Campus Library
333 Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302.573.5427

Delaware Tech Librarians       Comments? Questions? lferris@college.dtcc.edu

Created 1/2007