Criteria to use in evaluation
Authority: can I trust this person or group?
- Scan the perimeter of the page. Is there an author? Is the page signed?
- Does the URL give me a clue about authorship? Domain helpful?
- Is the author reputable and qualified? An expert? Is his/her education specified?
- Who is the sponsor? Is the sponsor reputable?
- Is there a link to information about the author or sponsor? Look for words “About Us” or “Philosophy” or “Who am I” A way to contact him/her?
- If the page includes neither a signature nor indicates a sponsor, is there any other way to determine its origin? Yes, there is…what is it?
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Nature Religion and the Turn to Politics and Ethics (Who is the author? What are the author’s credentials? What can you find out about him/her?)
Accuracy and objectivity: Will I get the whole truth?
- Is the information reliable and error-free?
- Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the information?
- Does the information show a minimum of bias?
- Is the page designed to sway opinion?
- Is there any advertising on the page that might lead you to think the author has “sold out”?
- Does the information sound reasonable and fair?
Currency: Is the information I need correct today?
- Is the page dated?
- If so, when was the last update?
- How current are the links? Have many expired or moved? (404 Error)
- Is the information supplied outdated for my needs today?
- Webster’s Dictionary
Coverage: Is there enough here to make this site worth my while?
- What topics are covered?
- What does this page offer that is not found elsewhere?
- What is its value?
- How in-depth is the material?
- Adherents.com
Indicators of Quality
- Footnotes and/or a bibliography
- Links to additional sites or information
- Correct spelling and grammar. Are there many grammatical mistakes or misspelled words (if the author’s not careful in this arena, we might wonder how careful he/she is in providing accurate information)
