Website Checklist

Look at the website you are using as a resource. How many of the following points can you answer yes to in relation to this site? The more times you answer Yes, the more likely the page is of high quality.

Title of Web site: ______________________________________________
URL: ________________________________________________________
Date evaluated: _______________________________________________

Authority

Authority reveals the person, institution or agency responsible for a site has trustworthy qualifications and knowledge.    

• Is it clear who developed the site?   
  
• Authority reveals that the person, institution or agency responsible for a site has the qualifications and knowledge to do so.   
  
• Has the author clearly provided contact information including: e-mail address, snail mail address, phone number, and fax number?   
  
• Has the author clearly stated their qualifications, credentials, or provided some personal background information?   
  
• Is the site supported by an organization or a commercial body?    

Purpose

The author should be clear about the purpose of the information presented in the site.
What is the purpose of the site and does the content support it?    

• Does the domain name of the site indicate its purpose?   
  
• Is the site well organized and focussed?   
  
• Are the links appropriate for the topic of the site?   
  
• Are the links evaluated at all?   
  
• Is the information geared to a specific audience?    

Coverage

One author may claim to present comprehensive coverage of a topic while another may cover just one aspect of a topic.    

• Does the site claim to be comprehensive?   
  
• Are the topics explored in depth?   
  
• Is the web site valuable compared to others on the same topic?       
  
• Does the site provide its own information or depend on outside links?   
  
• Does the site have relevant outside links?        

Currency

It is important to know when a site was created, when it was last updated, and if all of the links are current.    

• Is the date the information was first written given?   
  
• Is the date the information was placed on the web given?   
  
• Is the date the information was last revised given?   
  
• Are the links up-to-date and reliable?   
  
• Is the site fully developed? (ie. no construction signs)     
  

Objectivity

Objective sites will present information with a minimum of bias, without the intention to persuade.  

• Is the information presented without a particular bias?   
  
• Does the information avoid trying to sway the audience?   
  
• Does the site avoid advertising that may be a conflict of interest with the content?   
  
• Does the site avoid trying to persuade or sell something?    

Accuracy

It is the responsibility of the reader to evaluate the information presented.     

• Is the information reliable? If the author is affiliated with a known institution, this could be a clue.   
  
• If statistics and other factual information are presented, are proper references given for the origin of the information?       
  
• From the reading you have already done on the subject does the information on the site seem accurate?   
  
• Is the information provided comparable to other sites on the same topic?   
  
• Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling and composition?   
  
• Is a bibliography or reference list included?        

Overall opinion of website based on results of checklist: