ESHS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Web Site Evaluation

Anyone can publish anything on the Internet.  Consequently, it is important to carefully evaluate information found on the Internet. Here are some guidelines to assist you in the evaluation process.  (A powerpoint presentation on this subject is also available.)

Authority

	Is an author of the site listed?
	What are the author's credentials?
	Is it sponsored by a recognized authority (NASA, White House, Congress)
	What is the nature of the sponsoring institution?   (Check the ending suffix of the site--.edu, .gov, .com, etc.)
	Is a contact address provided (email or snail mail)?
	Is the information copyrighted?
	Is a bibliography cited?

***NOTE:  Try to delete the files and folders one at a time from right to left to see if you can find out other information about the site.***

Content

	Is the information accurate when checked against other sources?
	Is the information current?  (Check to see how often the page has been updated)
	Does the site have a bias?  (Is the site sponsored by an organization or individual with a known viewpoint, e.g., NRA, Liberal, Pro-life, Sierra Club, etc.?)
	Is the information primary (autobiography, letters, historical documents) or secondary ?
	If the source is secondary, is it from a recognized source (Newspapers, news magazines, online encyclopedias, etc.)?
	Is advertising present on the page?

Currency

	Is the webpage current?
	Has the page been recently updated?

What do YOU think about these sites?