*****************************************************************************
Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources
by Esther Grassian, UCLA College Library
The World Wide Web has a lot to offer, but not all sources are equally
valuable or reliable. Here are some points to consider.
Content & Evaluation
* What is the purpose of the Web Page & what does it contain?
* How complete and accurate are the information and the links
provided?
* What is the relative value of the Web site in comparison to the
range of information resources available on this topic? (Note: Be
sure to check with a librarian.)
+ What other resources (print & non-print) are available in
this area?
+ What are the date(s) of coverage of the site and
site-specific documents?
+ How comprehensive is this site?
o What are the link selection criteria if any?
o Are the links relevant and appropriate for the site?
o Is the site inward-focused, pointing outward, or both?
o Is there an appropriate balance between inward-pointing
links ("inlinks") & outward-pointing links ("outlinks")?
o Are the links comprehensive or do they just provide a
sampler?
o What do the links offer that is not easily available in
other sources?
o Are the links evaluated in any way?
o Is there an appropriate range of Internet resources --
e.g., links to gophers?
o Is multimedia appropriately incorporated?
+ Who is the audience?
* How valuable is the information provided in the Web Page
(intrinsic value)?
Source & Date
* Who is the author or producer?
* What is the authority or expertise of the individual or group that
created this site?
+ How knowledgeable is the individual or group on the subject
matter of the site?
+ Is the site sponsored or co-sponsored by an individual or
group that has created other Web sites?
* Is any sort of bias evident?
* When was the Web item produced?
* When was the Web item mounted?
* When was the Web item last revised?
* How up to date are the links?
* How reliable are the links; are there blind links, or references
to sites which have moved?
* Is contact information for the author or producer included in the
document?
Structure
* Does the document follow good graphic design principles?
* Do the graphics and art serve a function or are they decorative?
* Do the icons clearly represent what is intended?
* Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling and literary
composition?
* Is there an element of creativity, and does it add to or detract
from the document itself?
* Can the text stand alone for use in line-mode (text only) Web
browsers as well as multimedia browsers, or is there an option for
line-mode browsers?
* Is attention paid to the needs of the disabled -- e.g., large
print and graphics options; audio?
* Are links provided to Web "subject trees" or lists of
subject-arranged Web sources?
Other
* Is appropriate interactivity available?
* When it is necessary; to send confidential information out over
the Internet, is encryption (i.e., a secure coding system)
available? How secure is it?
* Are there links to search engines or are they built-in to the
document?
_________________________________________________________________
To contact the author, send mail to ecz5esg@mys.oac.ucla.edu
Last updated 31 July 95
*****************************************************************************
Thank you to the moderators for posting this document to EDTECH.
Best wishes,
Jane Constant
Keeley Library
B.M.C. Durfee High School
jconstant@umassd.edu