Evaluation Checklist For Internet Sites

Author: Who are the author(s)? Does s/he list any affiliations? Can you do a search to find any other information about him/her? Does s/he include a "mailto" or e-mail address? Is the author the creator of the information or a compiler of other information sources?

Producer: Is the producer/affiliation of the page clearly noted? Was this produced by an organization? What can you find out about the organization or the individual that produced the web site? Is it well known? Is it unknown? Are the members professionals, advocates or consumers? Does the organization have any obvious bias -- for example, is it a political party? a religious organization? a commercial organization that wants to sell you something?

Site: Is the URL clearly noted? Can you find out where it is located? Does it make sense that this site would be located where it is? Is there an ".edu" at the end of the URL?

References: Is the page well documented? Are the sources of photographs or other images given? Are there links to other sources?

Purpose: What was the purpose of the document? Why was it created?

Date of Publication: When was the site put on the Internet? When was it updated? Has it been updated?

Secrecy: How difficult was it to answer these questions?

Intended Audience: Who is the intended audience for the web site? Does knowing who the intended audience is change the way you look at the site? Is the site easy to use for this audience?

Writing Style/Reasoning: Is the information presented in an orderly, well-reasoned manner? Does the information appear to be well-researched and valid? Does there seem to be information missing? Are assumptions and conclusions well documented? Is the information presented as fact or opinion? Can you detect any bias? What kind of words does the author use -- words that could cause someone to be insulted or upset? Do the images or graphics make the site easier or more difficult to understand or to use?