Web Site Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	Characteristics	Problems
Authority	An authoritative source makes clear: • Who is responsible for page content • Author’s qualifications	• Can be difficult to determine authorship • Author’s qualifications are frequently absent • Contact information may not be listed
Accuracy	An accurate site presents information that: • Is based upon verifiable fact • Lists sources for presented information • Links to reputable outside sources	• Almost anyone can publish on the Web • Many Web resources not verified by editors • May include lies, distortions, myths, dubious data and stereotypes • May not provide links to reputable outside sources
Currency	A Web site with currency includes: • Date the page was written, placed on Web and last revised • Timely information, when appropriate • No dead links	• Site may not display dates • Page may present stale information • Site may include dead links
Objectivity	An objective site: • Presents information with a minimum of bias • Is fair, balanced and reasonable	• Site pretends to be objective, but only presents one point of view • May not differentiate advocacy vs. fact • May provide biased information in order to promote a product

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