This document discusses how to evaluate websites for reliability and credibility. It introduces the "5 Ws" approach to website evaluation: examining who authored the site, what its purpose is, when it was created and last updated, where the information comes from, and why the information would be useful. The document provides guidance on each of these questions, such as checking for author expertise, signs of bias, currency of information, domain type, and purpose alignment. Readers are instructed to use this framework to determine if an assigned website can be considered trustworthy and appropriate for research.

2. Computer Technology Standard
 Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness,
comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information
sources

3. English Language Arts
Writing: Research to Build and Present Knowledge
 Gather relevant information from multiple print and
digital sources; assess the credibility of each source;
and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of
others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic
bibliographic information for sources.

4. Why evaluate a website?
 Anyone can create a website!
 How do you know the author
of the website is an expert?
 How to you know the
information is up to date?
 How do you know the
information is accurate and
what you need?

5. The 5 Ws of website evaluation
Who
What
When
Where
Why

6. Who:
 Who wrote the web pages?
 Are they an expert on this topic?
 How can I find out about the author?
 “about us” section
 Is there a way to contact the author?
 Email or telephone

7. What:
 What is the purpose of the site?
 Is there advertising on the site?
 Does the site reflect bias or opinion?
 What makes the site easy to navigate?

8. When:
 When was the site created?
 When was the site last updated?
 Are the links on the site up to date and working?
 Are there dead links?

9. Where:
 Where does the information come from?
 Check the URL (Web address)
 What is the domain?
 .gov – government site
 .edu – educational institution
 .org – non-profit sites, charities (but not always!)
 .com – commercial, business site
 .net – anyone can buy this kind of site

10. Why:
 Why is this information useful for my purpose?
 Why should I use this website instead of another?

11. Task
 Work with a partner to complete the evaluation
checklist on your assigned website.
 Decide if your assigned website is reliable or unreliable
– Yes or No
 Explain your decision:
 Is it a trustworthy and useful site?
 Would it be a good website to use for information and
research?

12. Putting the 5 Ws to work
 Remember the 5 Ws:
 Who wrote the web pages?
 What is the purpose of the website?
 When was the site created and updated?
 Where does the information on the site come from?
 Why is this information useful for my purpose?+

13. References
 Schrock, Kathy. The 5 Ws of website evaluation. The
Schrock Guide, 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.