The Web as a Research Tool: Evaluation Techniques

The Web (or Internet) 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 (Internet). Web page quality varies considerably. WEB PAGES USED FOR RESEARCH MUST BE CAREFULLY EVALUATED. The following information will help you to do so.

Five Print Evaluation Criteria

Some aspects of evaluating print sources of information can be applied to Web pages. The following criterion are used to evaluate information found in print.

• Accuracy
  • How reliable and free from error is the information?
  • Are there editors and fact-checkers?
• Authority
  • What are the author's qualifications for writing on this subject?
  • How reputable is the publisher?
• Objectivity
  • Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?
  • To what extent is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience?
• Currency
  • Is the content of the work up-to-date?
  • Is the publication date clearly labeled?
• Coverage
  • What topics are included in the work?
  • Are the topics included explored in depth?

Adapting Five Print Evaluation Criteria to Web Resources

• Accuracy
  • Almost anyone can publish on the Web
  • Most Web resources are not verified by editors and/or fact checkers
  • No Web standards to ensure accuracy have been developed (and probably never will be)
• Authority
  • Often difficult to determine authorship of Web sources
  • If author's name is listed, his/her qualifications frequently are absent
  • Publisher responsibility often not indicated
• Objectivity
  • Goals/aims of persons or groups presenting material often not clearly stated
  • Web often functions as a "virtual soapbox"
• Currency
  • Dates not always included on Web pages
  • If included, a date may have various meanings
    • Date information was first written
    • Date information was placed on the Web
    • Date information was last revised
• Coverage
  • Web coverage may differ from print coverage
  • Often hard to determine extent of Web coverage

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

• Marketing-Oriented Web Pages
  • Challenge
    • In print sources, usually there is a clear distinction between advertising and information. On the Web, the distinction between advertising and information is blurred
  • Coping Strategy
    • Determine if advertising and informational content are begin supplied by the same person or organization. If so, is advertising likely to bias informational content?
• Infommercial Web Pages
  • Challenge
    • Blending of entertainment, information, and advertising on web pages
  • Coping Strategy
    • Caveat emptor: View these Web pages with the same critical eye you would an infommercial
• Software Requirements may Limit Access to Web Information
  • Challenge
    • Full access may require additional software
    • Browsers may alter the appearance of Web pages
  • Coping Strategy
    • Be aware that software may limit how much information you obtain and how the information appears on your screen
• Web Pages Out of Context
  • Challenge
    • Search Engines can retrieve Web pages out of context
    • May or may not be a way of determining source of information
  • Coping Strategy
    • Always try to return to the home page to determine the source of information
    • Sometimes you can get to the home page by "chopping off" part of the URL
• Instability of Web pages
  • Challenge
    • Web pages may move or disappear without notice
  • Coping Strategy
    • Try to determine the stability of your source
    • Document source to the fullest extent possible
• Susceptibility of Web Pages to Alteration
  • Challenge
    • Web pages are susceptible to both accidental and deliberate alteration
  • Coping Strategy
    • Attempt to verify information using other sources

Copyright 1996 Widener University