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Web Resource Evaluation Techniques

Web Resource Evaluation Techniques. Topics. Why: Importance of Web Evaluation How: Five Evaluation Criteria. Why do we need to evaluate Web information?. Quality of Web resources varies tremendously Anyone can create a Web page No one is doing this for us.

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Web Resource Evaluation Techniques

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  1. Web Resource Evaluation Techniques

  2. Topics • Why: Importance of Web Evaluation • How: Five Evaluation Criteria

  3. Why do we need to evaluate Web information? • Quality of Web resources varies tremendously • Anyone can create a Web page • No one is doing this for us

  4. How do we evaluate Web Information?

  5. Five Evaluation Criteria • Accuracy • Authority • Objectivity • Currency • Coverage

  6. Criterion #1: Accuracy • Reliable? Can you believe the information? • Free from error?

  7. Accuracy of Web Resources • Anyone can publish on the Web • Many Web resources not verified by editors “So what if it’s not true?”

  8. Criterion #2: Authority • What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subject? • How reputable is the publisher?

  9. Authority of Web Resources • Often difficult to find out who author is • Even if author’s name is listed, his/her qualifications frequently are absent • Publisher responsibility often not indicated

  10. Authority Puppies Web site • http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5000/tips.html • Author listed? • Qualifications listed? • Contact information provided? • Is he linked to an organization?

  11. Authority Asian Studies site http://coombs.anu.edu.au/WWWVL-AsianStudies.html • Author listed? • Qualifications listed? • Contact information provided? • Is he linked to an organization?

  12. Criterion #3: Objectivity • Biased? Is the information trying to sway the opinion of the audience?

  13. Objectivity of Web Resources • Web often functions as a virtual soapbox • Goals/aims of persons or groups presenting material often not clearly stated

  14. Criterion #4: Currency • Publication date clearly indicated? • Up-to-date? When was page last updated?

  15. Currency of Web Resources • Dates not always included • A date may have various meanings: • Date first created • Date placed on Web • Date last revised

  16. Criterion #5: Coverage • What topics are included? • To what depth are topics explored?

  17. Coverage of Web Resources • Web coverage may differ from print or other coverage • Hard to determine extent of Web coverage Is it complete? Is whole article or work there?

  18. Additional Challenge: Use of Hypertext Links • Quality of Web pages linked to original may vary Just because original page was good doesn’t mean link will be good • Does site tell you when you are going beyond the site? • Evaluate each Web page independently

  19. Challenge: Blending of Information and Advertising • On the Web, distinctions between advertising and information may not be clear • Are advertising and informational content supplied by the same person or organization?

  20. Identify the Type of Web Page • Advocacy • Business/Marketing • Informational • News • Personal • Entertainment

  21. Challenge: Software Requirements May Limit Access to Information • Full access may require additional software • Adobe • Flash • Etc.

  22. Challenge: Instability of Web Pages • Web pages may move or disappear without notice • Web pages can be altered at any times • User may not be able to refer back to a Web page

  23. Coping Strategy: Web Pages Susceptible to AlterationDocument source to the fullest extent possible right away

  24. Review: Five Evaluation Criteria • Accuracy • Authority • Objectivity • Currency • Coverage

  25. Credits Original PowerPoint created by Jan Alexander & Marsha Ann Tate Wolfgram Memorial Library Widener University Modified by Denys Whelan, Whitmore Lake H.S., April 2004

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