A major challenge in a time of Info-Glut and Info-Garbage is evaluation of information sources.Before basing a decision on the information available, wise researchers (and students) will give thought to the following criteria:

• reliability - definition | accuracy - definition | authority - definition
• currency - definition
• fairness - definition
• adequacy - definition
• efficiency - definition | organization - definition

Staff and students need to learn to apply these concepts critically to the sites they are visiting so they become thoughtful and discerning information consumers. A healthy amount of scepticism is warranted.

Using a table as a "visual organizer" often helps focus the evaluation of sources. List the site or source on the top and then rate each source from four asterisks to one asterisk.

**** Excellent *** Good ** Satisfactory * Weak

	Source One	Source Two	Source Three
reliability - accuracy - authority
currency
fairness
adequacy
efficiency - organization

References

For additional information and resources to support the development of Web site evaluation skills, visit the following sites:

• (Review Template) A template from the USC library to help structure Web site reviews.
• Analog Models for Reviewing Digital Resources Beyond "Cool" - Analog Models for Reviewing Digital Resources by James Rettig- ONLINE, September 1996
• How to Critically Analyze Information Sources Cornell Library
• CyberGuides - Karen McLachlan, Library Media Specialist at East Knox High School, Ohio developed these guides to use with teachers and students to evaluate content and graphic design of home pages. WWW CyberGuide Ratings for Content Evaluation - A guide for rating the curriculum content on web sites. WWW CyberGuide Ratings for Web Site Design - A guide for rating the design of a web site.
• Evaluating Quality on the Net A paper which explores relevance of existing criteria for other formats, the continuum of information on the net and the current state of evaluation tools on the net. By Hope N. Tillman, Director of Libraries, Babson College, Babson Park, MA
• Evaluating Web Resources A module teaching critical thinking about Web resources from Widener University/Wolfgram Memorial Library. Includes PowerPoint presentation, techniques and a bibliography of other sources.
• Evaluating Web Sites A brief list of good evaluation questions to ask of any Web site. From Lehigh University Library.
• Evaluating World Wide Web Information The Library at Purdue offers the Internet Evaluator Checklist.
• ICONnect: The ALA sponsored Evaluation Criteria Rating System for Web Sites - a form that sets up a rating criteria in six sections:

Authority, Design/Style, Navigation,Content, Performance, and Curriculum Connections.

• JITT: Site Evaluation Form
  • Format is user friendly.
  • Format is courteous.
  • Format is aesthetically appealing.
  • Content is credible.
  • Content is useful.
  • Content is rich.
  • Content is interdisciplinary.
  • Learner process includes higher-order thinking.
  • Learner process is engaging.
  • Learner process engages multiple intelligences or talents.
• Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - Critical Evaluation Surveys Kathy offers three surveys . . . one for elementary, one for middle school and one for high school. She also offers a rich bibliography.
• Library Selection Criteria for WWW Resources Carolyn Caywood provides strong questions to guide thinking about ACCESS, DESIGN and CONTENT.
• Thinking Critically about WWW Resources by Esther Grassian, UCLA College Library. CONTENT. STRUCTURE. SOURCE.

 

 

Glossary

• reliability
  To what extent can we count on the information provided at this site? Is the source trustworthy? How did they come up with the information listed here? Do they cite sources? Did they follow good research procedures? Do they have a bias? A reason to distort? Is this advertising? An advertorial? What are they selling? Back to the list.
• accuracy
  Are these real numbers and facts? Do they match reality? How do we know they are real and on target? Back to the list.
• currency
  How recent are the facts and figures? Were they gathered ten years ago? Do they tell us? Does it matter? Might crime or employment have changed since then? Back to the list.
• authority
  Do they have any credentials to be providing this information? Any evidence of training or professional skill? Do they identify the author or provider by name? Who did this work? Back to the list.
• fairness
  Have they presented the material selectively or in an unbalanced manner? Is their bias or slanting in the reporting? Did they leave some information out? Did they focus only on the positive? the negative? Back to the list.
• adequacy
  Do they tell you enough? Do they provide sufficient data or evidence? Do they go into enough detail and depth? Back to the list.
• efficiency
  Can you find what you need at this site relatively quickly or is it loaded down with graphics and elements which prolong your visit and your searching unnecessarily? Back to the list.
• organization
  Is the information laid out in a logical fashion so that you can easily locate what you need without wandering around and wasting time? Back to the list.
  

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  Credits: The background is from Jay Boersma.
  Other drawings and graphics are by Jamie McKenzie.
  
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