Pearl K. Wise Library  Web Site Evaluation Form
Anyone can create a website. When you are doing research, how do you determine whether a website is suitable for academic research? Evaluating a website based on the 6 criteria - authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, design, and overall sense, can help you decide whether it should be included as a source in your academic research.
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What is the url or address of the web site you are evaluating? *
What is the  title of the web site? *
AUTHORITY
Again, anyone can create a website. Find out who created the website and what his/her qualifications are to determine whether the information is reliable.
Can you find the name of the author of the website article/information?
Look for an author. Not a webmaster. Examine the author's credentials.
Clear selection
Can you find the name of the author of the website article/information?
Look for an author. Not a webmaster. Examine the author's credentials.
Clear selection
Is it possible to contact the author?
Look for a section called 'Contact Us' or 'About Us.' Is there an email address?
Clear selection
Is there a sponsor?
Look for an organization at the end of the site or look in the section 'About Us'.
Clear selection
Do you recognize the sponsor?
Try a Google search of the sponsor.
Clear selection
What kind of website is this?
Look at the domain letters: .edu, .org, .com, .gov, .mil, .net. Academic or educational servers (.edu or .ac) are usually authoritative sources.
Clear selection
ACCURACY
Are the claims backed up by evidence?
Look for proofs
Clear selection
Can the information be verified?
Look in another website or print source for comparison and confirmation.
Clear selection
Are there references to works consulted?
Look for a Works Cited, Bibliography, or References section.
Clear selection
Are there links to other sources?
Look for hypertext.
Clear selection
Are there spelling or grammatical errors?
Clear selection
OBJECTIVITY
What is the purpose of this site?
Clear selection
Who is the intended audience?
Clear selection
What opinions are expressed on this site?
Look for strong statements and opinions, especially that which is presented as facts without citation. Look for bias.
Clear selection
CURRENCY
When was the site created and last updated?
Look for 'created on...' or 'updated on...' at the end of the website.
Clear selection
Are the links and information up-to-date?
Look for active links. Dead links show neglect.
Clear selection
DESIGN
Is it easy to navigate this site?
Look for 'Table of Contents' or a site map. Look for arrows or buttons to go back to the top of the page.
Clear selection
Is the information well-organized?
Look for a structure that is similar to the outline of research papers.
Clear selection
Is the site attractive?
Look for effective use of colors, size, font style, and graphics.
Clear selection
OVERALL SENSE
Does this website fulfill your research purposes?
Clear selection
Does this website meet the expectations of a good online source?
Clear selection
FINAL EVALUATION
How many Warning! messages did you get in this survey? Review your responses above.
Clear selection
Credits
Created by Ellen Chu
Form based on Pearl K. Wise Guidelines for Evaluating Websites brochure.
Design based on Web Evaluation Survey by Jennifer Dimmick for Needham High School.
Additional information from: © 2006 University Libraries. University of Maryland. College Park, MD 20742-7011, (301) 405-0800 Last modified: January 28, 2011.

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