3. Evaluating Search Results
The 5 W’s of Web Content Evaluation
WHO - Who is responsible for the site?
WHAT - What kind of site is it?
WHEN - When was the site created?
WHERE - Where does the information come from?
WHY - Why was this site created?
Source: kathyschrock.net
4. The 5 W’s of Web Info Evaluation
WHO
Who is responsible for the site?
Is there an author? Anonymous = Unverifiable
What are his/her credentials? Look for a biography or
resume
Is the author an organization or association?
Is the author published anywhere else?
Can I contact the author? Anyone can create
a fake email. Look for phone and mailing address.
Source: kathyschrock.net
5. The 5 W’s of Web Info Evaluation
WHAT
What kind of site is it?
What does the URL tell you?
Look at the domain - that's the part that ends in:
.edu = educational
.org = organization
.gov = government
.net = network/utilities
.mil = military
.com = commercial
Source: kathyschrock.net
6. The 5 W’s of Web Info Evaluation
WHAT
Look at the “About Us” section
Does it list documented facts or opinions?
What does the author say is the purpose of the site?
Is there bias or prejudice evident?
Is the site easy to navigate and search?
Source: kathyschrock.net
7. The 5 W’s of Web Info Evaluation
WHEN
When was the site created or updated?
Are the links current?
An automated date (usually indicated by today's date)
does not indicate when the information was updated.
Outdated information is often obsolete.
Source: kathyschrock.net
8. The 5 W’s of Web Info Evaluation
WHERE
Where does the information come from?
Are there external links to related information?
Is there documentation for factual statements,
assertions, and second-hand information?
Is there a bibliography or works cited page? Are
references and sources clearly cited?
Can you find this same information in other sources?
Source: kathyschrock.net
9. The 5 W’s of Web Info Evaluation
WHY
Why was this site created? To inform?
Is this information useful for my purpose?
Why should I use this information versus another?
Is the goal to sell a product?
To advocate an agenda or to persuade?
Why are advertisements (if any) there?
Do they relate to the site?
Source: kathyschrock.net
The 5 W’s were originally used in journalism as a standard to verify information before publishing it. The internet has made us our own news and information gatherers and hence we must check facts.
