Checklist for Evaluating Web Pages

(Adapted from Burkhardt, Joanna M., et. al. Teaching Information Literacy. Chicago: American Library Association, 2003.)

Ask yourself the following questions when you look at a web site:

  • PURPOSE

    • Are the goals of the author stated?
    • Who is the target audience for the site?
    • Is the site scholarly or popular?
    • What is the overall purpose of the site? Is it to inform, persuade, advocate, entertain, or sell a product?

  • AUTHORITY AND CREDIBILITY OF AUTHOR

    • Can you tell who has ultimate responsibility for the content of the site?
    • Is there contact information for the author or organization responsible?
    • What are the author’s qualifications?
    • What is the author’s institutional affiliation?
    • Is the site a commercial, governmental, organizational, academic, or personal site?
    • Is the site connected to an organization and, if so, what is the mission of this organization?

  • ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY

    • Is the site well-researched?
    • Are there references to sources of information supporting statements and viewpoints?
    • Is statistical information labeled clearly?
    • Are the sources for factual or statistical information documented so that it can be verified in another source?
    • What method of data collection or research did the author use?
    • Does the site include grammatical, spelling, or typographical errors?
    • How does the site compare to print information resources available on the topic?
    • If links to other sites are listed, are they quality sites?

  • CURRENCY AND TIMELINESS

    • When was the site created?
    • When was the site last updated?
    • If links to other sites are listed, do they still work?

  • BIAS

    • Does the site present many opinions on the topic or only one?
    • Can you tell if the site contains mostly opinions or facts?
    • Can you identify any bias in the information or opinions provided?
    • Is the site sponsored by a company or organization?
    • Does the site reflect the agenda of a political, religious, or social group or institution?
    • If there is advertising on the site, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content?

  • STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION

    • Is the organization of the site easy to understand? Is it clear and logical?
    • Is the site easy to navigate?
    • Is there a link to return to the site’s home page?
    • Does the site offer a table of contents or a site index?
    • Does the site offer a search box?
    • Do the graphics add to detract from the site?

  • CONCLUSION

    • Is this site a good source for a research paper?