Web & Print Content Evaluation Criteria

Zondervan Library Guide to the Web as a Research Tool: Evaluation Techniques

Throughout the day, students have a need for continual evaluation and assessment of the information that that they receive from multiple sources.

As they undertake their studies at Kuyper College, their critical thinking, evaluation, and assessment skills will become increasingly important and of great value, both personally and for their educational experience.

The Kuyper College Zondervan Library is a major resource for students as they seek to find or receive information. One of the benefits of using Library resources—whether print or electronic—via the college Library’s Web page, is that information professionals have already critiqued, reviewed, and assessed the information provided for you. Library’s staff members are trained and available to serve you!

Need for Evaluation of Web Sources

Quality of sources varies greatly

• Techniques needed to evaluate Web resources
• Some traditional print techniques still appropriate
• New techniques also needed

Five Traditional Print-Evaluation Criteria

When seeking information, the following criteria should be used for evaluating information found in print sources and on Web sites:

1. Accuracy
   • How reliable, and error-free is the information?
   • Are there editors and fact-checkers?
2. Authority
   • • What are the author’s qualifications for writing on this subject?
   • • How reputable is the publisher?
3. Objectivity
   • Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?
   • To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience?
   • Can the information covered be categorized as fact, opinion, or propaganda?
4. Currency
   • Is the content of the work up-to-date?
   • Is the publication date clearly labeled?
5. Coverage
   • What topics are included in the work?
   • Are the topics explored in depth?

Adapting Traditional Print-Evaluation Criteria to Web Resources

• Almost anyone can publish on the Web.
• The content of many Web resources is not verified by editors and/or fact-checkers. Web standards to ensure accuracy have yet to be fully developed.

• It’s often difficult to determine authorship of Web sources.
• Even if the author’s name is listed, his/her qualifications may be absent.
• Publisher responsibility often is not indicated.

Objectivity

• Goals/aims of persons or groups presenting material often are not clearly stated.
• For some users, the Web functions as a “virtual soapbox.”

Currency

• Dates are not always included on Web pages.
• If included, a date may have various meanings:
  1. Date information was first written
  2. Date information was placed on the Web
• Date information was last revised

Coverage

• Web coverage may differ from print coverage.
• It’s often difficult to determine the extent of Web coverage.

Additional Challenges Presented by Web Resources and How to Deal with Them

1. Marketing-Oriented Web Pages
   • Challenge:
     • In print sources, there usually is a clear distinction between advertising and information.
     • On the Web, the distinction between advertising and information can become easily blurred
   • Managing strategy:

   • Determine whether advertising and informational content are supplied by the same person or organization.
   • If so, advertising is likely to bias informational content.

2. “Infomercial” Web pages
   • Challenge:
     • There is a blending of entertainment, information, and advertising on Web pages.
   • Managing strategy:
     • View these Web pages with the same critical eye you would an Infomercial.
3. Use of Hypertext Links
   • Challenge:
     • Quality of Web pages linked to the original Web page may vary.
   • Managing strategy:
     • Evaluate each Web page independently.
4. Software Requirements May Limit Access to Web Information
   • Challenge:
     • Full access may require additional software.
     • Browsers may alter the appearance of Web pages.
   • Managing strategy:
     • Be aware that software may limit how much information you obtain and the format in which it appears on your screen.
5. Web Pages Out of Context
   • Challenge:
     • Search engines can retrieve Web pages out of context.
     • There may or may not be a way of determining the source of the information.
   • Managing strategy:
     • Always try to return to the home page to determine the source of the information.
6. Instability of Web Pages
   • Challenge:
     • Web pages may move or disappear without notice.
   • Managing strategy:
     • Try to determine the stability of your source.
     • Cite the source to the fullest extent possible.
7. Susceptibility of Web Pages to Alteration
   • Challenge:
     • Web pages are susceptible to both accidental and deliberate alteration.
   • Managing strategy:
     • Attempt to verify information using other sources.

Web Page Evaluation Procedure

1. Identify the type of Web page
   • Entertainment
   • Business/marketing
   • Reference/informational
   • News
   • Advocacy
   • Personal
2. Use the evaluation criterial checklist.  Answer the questions as thoroughly as possible.    
3. Based on your answers to the evaluation criteria, determine the relative quality of the web page.

The Web is Only One Source of Information

• It can be very useful for researching certain topics.
• It can be almost useless for other topics.
• To research a topic thoroughly, use a variety of sources, both Web and non-Web.

Conclusion

• Web evaluation techniques are just beginning to be developed.
• Technology is outpacing the ability to create standards and guidelines.
• Establishing evaluation procedures will be an ongoing, evolutionary process.

Copyright Jan Alexander and Marsha Tate, 1996-1999
Date Mounted on Server: 8 August 1996
Last Revised: 13 July, 2007

Print copies of the materials at this site may be made and distributed provided that 1) They are used for educational purposes only and 2) Any page copied is reproduced in its entirety. For any other use or for permission to make electronic copies, please contact the authors.