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"Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought." - Albert Szent-Gyorgyl

INTERNET RESEARCH  --  WEBSITE EVALUATION TOOL

  There are many different ways to find information today.  The Internet provides us with a vast amount of  information from around the world.  However, what is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date?  There is a series of questions you should answer to help determine the validity of a web page found on the Internet.

  Remember    www.xxxxxx.gov is a reliable government website.

                             www.xxxxxx.mil is a reliable and secure military website.

                             www.xxxxxx.edu is usually a reliable educational website.

                             www.xxxxxx.org is usually a licensed non-profit organization.

                             www.xxxxxx.com is a commercial website and can be created by anyone. 

                             Dot-Com sites must be EVALUATED.

                             Note: xxxxxx denotes any letters.

Next . . . Look at the TECHNICAL and VISUAL aspects
 
1.    Is the site user-friendly and easy to navigate? Y N
2.    Is the spelling and word usage correct? Y N
3.    Is the author's e-mail address included? Y N

4.     Is there a date of creation or last revision?

 Y N
5.    Are there useful pictures, charts, graphs, tables, or maps? Y N
6.     Are there many pop-up ads appearing? Y N
7.     Are there dead links? Y N

Then . . . analyze the CONTENT

1.     Is the source published, sponsored, or endorsed by a
        professional association, organization, or society?

 Y N
2.     Is the site trying to sell a product? Y N
3.     Is the date of document acceptable for your purpose? Y N

4.     Does the source contain a table of contents, an index, or a Site Map?

 Y N
5.     Does the source offer a handy SEARCH option? Y N
6.     Does the author have credentials or sufficient authority to speak on the subject? Y N
7.    Does the information contain so-called facts that contradict something you found         elsewhere? Y N
8.     Does the information appear biased? Y N
9.     Is there enough evidence to support the claim or position? Y N

10.   Does the information include a bibliography?

Y N
11.  Did the information lead you to other sources that were useful? Y N

12.   Would it have been easier or quicker to go somewhere else, such as use
         a book, to get the same information?

 Y N

Finally . . . what do YOU think?

Ms. Baize - School Library Media Specialist
 Mrs. Cain - Senior Library Clerk

Special thanks to Ellen Genet

Last updated: September 7, 2007
Email: BaizeP@royhart.org
CainK@royhart.org