Types of Resources

Evaluating Web Resources

1. Check the URL
2. Scan the page
3. Quality Indications
4. Overall

Step 2 - Scan the Main page.

There is much that can be learned just by scanning around the outside of the website. Here are some key examples:

2.a. Scan for author(s).

This has already been mentioned, but it is still worth noting the importance of knowing who wrote the materials.

2.b. Scan for the author's credentials.

If the author gives their name, find out what they do. For instance, is a web page about current stem cell research authored by an English professor, how might that affect the quality of scientific information on the page?

2.c. Dates

Can you find dates that show how current the information is?

There are two examples of places that inform you about how current the website information is. Again, undated material may be less valid because you do not know how old the material is.

2.d. Ads

Why are there ads on this site?

Go to http://www.dhmo.org, again and ask youself the following questions, why is the author asking for money and why are they trying to sell me Klein bottles?

Many not-for profit sites (.org) may ask for donations for their cause, but if they have links to sites that sell products or services, what is their true motivation, to make money or to inform?

2.e. Disclaimers (or anything else that is out of place.)

Some sites have disclaimers. Why? Because they are probably protecting their editorial content. If a site has a disclaimer, it is probably more of an opinion site.