1. Example 14: Evaluation checklist (p. 23)
Web Page Evaluation Quick Checklist
Title of Website:
Examine the URL
Is it a personal page or site? i.e. no official sanction  Yes  No
Sometimes there is a personal name in the URL. This
will usually be preceded by a tilde ~
Is the page/site owned by an organisation?  Yes  No
Which domain extension does the site have?  .com  .org  .ac.uk
Consider whether this is appropriate to the content of the  .edu  .gov  other
site
Authority
Is there a named author/authors?  Yes  No
Are the author’s credentials indicated?  Yes  No
If not check them out! Try searching for the author on
Google.
Is the author an expert in the field?  Yes  No
Check to see if he /she has published widely in the field.  Insufficient details
You could use an appropriate bibliographic database to
help you investigate.
Are the author/organisation contact details given?  Yes  No
This will be useful if any information needs to be verified.
Currency
Is a publication date given?  Yes  No
If so, how recent is it?
Is there an indication when the information was last  Yes  No
updated?

2. Quality / Reliability
Are the sources of the information identified,  Yes  No
referenced and cited?
What is the character of the information?  Factual  Opinion
 Combination of both
Is the site well laid out and easily navigable?  Yes  No
Is the writing style informed /scholarly and  Yes  No
appropriate for an academic audience?
Are any provided links appropriate and still active?  Yes  No  N/A
Is the information available in a different format?  Yes  No
Eg. As a published report, factsheet etc. This may
give some general indication of quality.
Does it all add up?
What is the overall purpose of the page?  Inform, provide facts, data
You then need to consider whether this is  Explain  Entertain
commensurate with your requirements.  Persuade Sell
The bottom line: In your opinion is the information of comparable quality with the
information that you will find in a journal article, book, or other conventionally published
source?
 Yes  No
If YES you should be able to use the information with confidence. If NO
LOOK ELSEWHERE!
Information Services NJM / 2009