Web Resource Evaluation Techniques Wolfgram Memorial Library Widener University Chester, PA 19013 Web Resource Evaluation Techniques Created June 1998, Last Revised 05 November 1998 This presentation is revised version of The Web as a Research Tool: Evaluation Techniques which was originally created in 1996. Copyright 1996-2005 by Jan Alexander & Marsha Ann Tate 1

Additional Web Evaluation Materials Materials to accompany this presentation are available on the Wolfgram Library Web site I 2

Topics Covered The Importance of Web Evaluation Review of Five Traditional Evaluation Criteria Adaptation of the Traditional Evaluation Criteria to Web Resources Additional Challenges Posed by Web Resources and How to Cope with Them I 2

Reliance Upon Web-based Information Increasing Quality of Web resources varies tremendously Criteria needed to evaluate Web resources Some traditional evaluation criteria still useful New criteria also needed 4

Five Traditional Evaluation Criteria 1. Accuracy 2. Authority 3. Objectivity 4. Currency 5. Coverage 5

Criterion #1: Accuracy Are there editors and fact checkers? How reliable and free from error is the information? Are there editors and fact checkers? 6

Accuracy of Web Resources Almost anyone can publish on the Web Many Web resources not verified by editors and/or fact checkers Web standards to ensure accuracy not fully developed 7

Criterion #2: Authority What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subject? How reputable is the publisher? Qualifications 8

Authority of Web Resources Often difficult to determine authorship of Web resources If author’s name listed, his/her qualifications frequently absent Publisher responsibility often not indicated 9

Criterion #3: Objectivity Is the information presented with a minimum of bias? To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience? 11

Objectivity of Web Resources Web often functions as a “virtual soapbox” Goals/aims of persons or groups presenting material often not clearly stated WEB SOAP 12

Criterion #4: Currency Is the content of the work up-to-date? Is the publication date clearly indicated? 13

Currency of Web Resources Dates not always included on Web pages If included, a date may have various meanings: Date first created Date placed on Web Date last revised 14

Criterion #5: Coverage What topics are included in the work? To what depth are topics explored? 15

Coverage of Web Resources Web coverage may differ from print or other media coverage Often hard to determine extent of Web coverage ? = 16

Use These Criteria to Evaluate Actual Web Pages 1. Accuracy 2. Authority 3. Objectivity 4. Currency 5. Coverage World Wide Web 17

The Web Presents Additional Evaluation Challenges But Also Remember… The Web Presents Additional Evaluation Challenges 18

Quality of Web pages linked to original Web page may vary Challenge: Use of Hypertext Links Quality of Web pages linked to original Web page may vary HIGH QUALITY WEB PAGE POOR QUALITY WEB PAGE LINKED TO 21

Evaluate each Web page independently Coping Strategy: Use of Hypertext Links Evaluate each Web page independently Web Page Web Page A B Linked To 22

Each Frame Displays a Separate Web Page Challenge: Use of Frames Each Frame Displays a Separate Web Page 23

Evaluate Each Frame Independently Coping Strategy: Use of Frames Evaluate Each Frame Independently 23

Search Engines Can Retrieve Web Pages Out of Context Challenge: Search Engines Can Retrieve Web Pages Out of Context 25

Search Engines Can Retrieve Web Pages Out of Context Coping Strategy: Search Engines Can Retrieve Web Pages Out of Context Always try to return to the “home page” to determine source of information 26

Challenge: Marketing-Oriented Web Pages In other media, there usually are clear visual and/or audio distinctions between advertising and information The Sound Off And Now a Word From Our Sponsors AD ARTICLE 27

Challenge: Marketing-Oriented Web Pages On the Web, distinctions between advertising and information can become extremely blurred Information Ads WEB Entertainment 28

Coping Strategy: Marketing-Oriented Web Pages Person or Organization Try to determine if advertising and informational content are supplied by the same person or organization Information Information Person or Organization Advertising Advertising 29

Blending of Entertainment, Information, and Advertising Challenge: Blending of Entertainment, Information, and Advertising The Web has brought “infomercial” concept to new heights 30

Blending of Entertainment, Information, and Advertising Coping Strategy: Blending of Entertainment, Information, and Advertising CAVEAT EMPTOR 31

Software Requirements May Limit Access to Information Challenge: Software Requirements May Limit Access to Information Full access may require additional software Browsers may alter the appearance of Web Pages WEB Information 32

Software Requirements May Limit Access to Information Coping Strategy: Software Requirements May Limit Access to Information Be aware that software limitations may: Alter how much information is obtainable Alter the appearance of information obtained 33

Instability of Web Pages Challenge: Instability of Web Pages Web Pages May Move or Disappear Without Notice User may not be able to refer back to a Web page 34

Instability of Web Pages Coping Strategy: Instability of Web Pages Try to determine the stability of your source Document source to the fullest extent possible www.widener.edu 35

Web Pages Susceptible to Alteration Challenge: Web Pages Susceptible to Alteration Accidental alteration Deliberate alteration 36

Web Pages Susceptible to Alteration Coping Strategy: Web Pages Susceptible to Alteration Attempt to verify information using other sources New York Times 37

Applying This Knowledge When Using the Web as a Research Tool ULTIMATE CHALLENGE Applying This Knowledge When Using the Web as a Research Tool W E B 38

Web Page Evaluation Procedure Step 1: Identify type of page Step 2: Use appropriate checklist Step 3: Based on checklist criteria, determine relative quality of page WEB PAGE CHECKLIST 39

? Web Page Evaluation Procedure Step 1: Identify the Type of Web Page Advocacy Business/Marketing Informational News Personal Entertainment ? 40

Step 2: Use the Appropriate Checklist Web Page Evaluation Procedure Step 2: Use the Appropriate Checklist CHECKLIST Answer Questions With “Yes” or “No” 1.yes 2.no 3.yes 4.yes 5.no 41

Web Page Evaluation Procedure Step 3: Based on the checklist criteria, determine the relative quality of the Web page The greater number of checklist questions answered “yes”, the more likely the page is of higher informational quality. 42

Conclusion Web evaluation techniques are in development Technology is outpacing ability to create standards and guidelines Establishing evaluation procedures will be an ongoing evolutionary process 43