This document outlines 5 criteria for evaluating websites: accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and coverage. It defines each criteria and provides questions to consider and signs to look for to determine if a website meets each criteria. For example, for accuracy it suggests checking who wrote the content and their qualifications, for authority it suggests evaluating who published the content and their credentials, and for currency it suggests determining when the content was created and last updated and if links are broken. Overall, the document provides a framework and questions to systematically evaluate the reliability of information on a website.

1. 5 CRITERIA
For Evaluating Websites

2. What are they?
1. Accuracy of Site
2. Authority of Site
3. Objectivity of Site
4. Currency of Site
5. Coverage of Site

3. ACCURACY
• Who wrote it?
• Why did s/he write it?
• Was the person actually
qualified to write it?
 Make sure author provides e-mail
or a contact address/phone
number.
 Know the distinction between
author and Webmaster.

4. AUTHORITY
• Who published the document?
Different from "Webmaster?"
• Check the domain of the
document, Does the publisher
list qualifications?
 What credentials are listed for the
authors)?
 Where is the document published?
Check URL domain.

5. OBJECTIVITY
• What are the goals/objectives
of the site?
• How detailed is the
information?
• What opinions (if any) are
expressed by the author?
 Determine if page is a mask for
advertising
 View any Web page as you would
a TV infommercial. Purpose and
audience.

6. CURRENCY
• When was it created?
• When was it updated?
• Are the links up-to-date?
 How many dead links are on the
page?
 Are the links current or updated
regularly?
 Is the information on the page
outdated?

7. COVERAGE
• Are the links evaluated and are they
relevant?
• All images or a balance of text and
images?
• Is the information presented cited
correctly?
 If page requires special software to view
the information, how much are you missing
if you don't have the software?
 Is it free or is there a fee, to obtain the
information?
 Is there an option for text only, or frames, or
a suggested browser for better viewing?

8. Does is all add up?
• Does the web page meet
your needs?
• Remember to determine
audience and purpose
Evaluate sample sites