Evaluating websites
It is important to remember that anyone can set up a website, and not all of the information you find on the world wide web will be credible or reliable.
Below is some criteria for evaluating websites:
Authority
Who is responsible for the website? What are their qualifications and associations, and can you verify them?
- It is good advice to check the footer for the name of the web page author or organisation. Also check the end of the URL (web address) domain name, as it will tell you more about the organisation that created the website.
- .edu (educational institution)
- .com (commercial or business)
- .gov (government body)
- .org (not-for-profit organisation)
- .ac.uk (academic institution)
Currency
Are dates clear when the website was first created and edited?
Coverage
What is the focus of the site? Are there clear headings to illustrate an outline of the content? Is the navigation within the website clear?
Objectivity
Are biases clearly stated? Are affiliations clear?
Accuracy
Are sources of information and factual data listed, and available for cross-checking? Is the content accurate in terms of spelling, grammar and facts, as well as consistent throughout website?
