Evaluating Online Resources

how to evaluate

online resources

What does the word “evaluate”mean?

- to determine the importance, worth, or condition of, based on certain standards

5 STANDARDS

05

04

03

01

02

PURPOSE

ACCURACY

AUTHORITY

TIMELINESS

RELEVANCY

5 STANDARDS

TIMELINESS

RELEVANCY

AUTHORITY

ACCURACY

PURPOSE

5 STANDARDS

TIMELINESS

RELEVANCY

AUTHORITY

ACCURACY

PURPOSE

STANDARD #1

Can you tell when theinformation was published?

TIMELINESS

Is the information up to date?

How frequently is the website updated?

Are the external links up to date?

STANDARD #2

Is the information you found related to and useful for your topic and assignment?

relevancY

Is the source the appropriate type for your needs?

Is the information too broad or too specific?

STANDARD #3

Is the author identified? If the author has chosen to remain anonymous, ask yourself 'why?'

authority

• Is the author a person you recognize as an expert in his field?
• Is the author affiliated to an academic institution or credible organization?

Are they qualified to write about the subject? Or is there enough information provided to establish the author’s credibility?

Can you find references to her/him elsewhere?

Look at the website address of the site (URL) .org, .edu, .gov

STANDARD #4

Is it free from spelling errors?

accuracy

Is the text well-written and grammatically correct?

Has the content been through an editing process or been peer reviewed?

Has the author included a bibliography?

Are the sources cited reliable and can they be verified elsewhere?

Are the links working properly?

STANDARD 5

Is it clear whether the content comes from an advertiser or from a non-commercial source?

Purpose

What is the purpose of the resource? is it trying to inform you or sell you something?

Does it make reasonable statements? Or dramatic claims?

Do you know what bias the author or publisher has? Perform a search on the author/publisher to see what other resources they are associated with.

Does the source provide a balanced viewpoint, or just one side of an argument?

Helpful tips!

• Can you understand the text?
• Does it answer my question?
• Is this a credible author?
• Does the purpose of the site fit my needs?
• Is the information current enough?

If not, try a different website!

Make your search terms more specific!

Helpful tips!

• Does the headline match the content?
• Are there spelling or grammatical errors?
• Who is the author?
• Are there references, links, or citations?
• What is the website?
• Are there any direct quotes that are incorrectly used or taken out of context?
• Does the article only showcase one side of an argument?
• Is the story completely outrageous?