Shasta College Library http://library.shastacollege.edu
Evaluating Websites
Go to a classified list, such as Librarians' Index to the Internet [http://lii.org] or a search engine, such as Google [http://www.google.com]. Select one website devoted to your bibliography topic. Use the following questions as a guide to evaluate the benefits or shortcomings of your selected site. There is no uniform standard to publishing on the web, so you might not be able to address all of the questions, but do speak to as many as you are able.
This assignment is worth 10 points. Please turn this
assignment in at the library's Reference Desk by Weds March 6th,
8 am. 2 bonus points will be given to work turned in by 10 am
Tues Mar 5th (I'll select a few of these sites for class discussion).
2 points/day will be deducted for work turned in after Weds Mar 6th. No
work will be accepted after Fri March 8th. If you are having
trouble selecting an appropriate site or have any questions, please contact
Carolyn Salus Singh, ph 225-4896, email singh@library.shastacollege.edu.
Which search engine or index did you use?
What were your search terms and strategy?
Author's name. Name of Website. Date site published or most recently updated.
Sponsoring institution. Date site accessed. <electronic address of website>
Example:
Railton, Stephen, ed. Blackface Minstrelsy 1830-1852. 16 Sept. 1999. University of
Virginia. 16 Feb. 2001 <http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/minstrel/mihp.html>
What organization or institution publishes this page?
Do authors give their names, credentials, and contact information?
Are the authors qualified to address the topic?
Does more than one author contribute to the site or is the entire site content the work of one author?
What is the domain name (com for commercial, edu for education, gov for US Govt, org for non profit organization) _________
4. Timeliness
When was the page most recently updated?
5. Objectivity
What is the purpose of the site (To sell a product? To voice an opinion? To educate? To inform?)
Do the authors present comprehensive discussions of issues?
Are authors affiliated to special interest groups?
Take a look at a few of the linked sites. Are they comprehensive or one-sided?
Does the site contain ads?
If "yes", what sorts of products are being promoted?
6. Content and Coverage
Does this site contain material of the depth and sophistication you require?
Does it contain primary sources?
Has the site received any awards or endorsements?
Will you retain this site for your annotated bibliography?
7. Accuracy
Are sources of information and statistics given?
Are quotes attributed to speakers?
It's said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Follow a few links. Are you taken to new sites? Are these sites reliable?
Shasta College Library
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