1. 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 by Jan Alexander & Marsha Ann Tate 1

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. 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

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

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

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

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. 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

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

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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 35

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

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

35. 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

36. 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

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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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