Web Site Evaluation Guide
Your name(s): ___________________________________________________________
Web site URL: http://______________________________________________________
Title of web site: __________________________________________________________
Content
Is the purpose (inform, persuade, sell, entertain) of the site indicated on the home page? YES / NO
(If you answer “yes” circle one: inform, persuade, sell, entertain)
If not, can you guess the purpose of the web page? Circle it above. YES / NO
Could that purpose cause the web author to be biased? YES / NO
Do you feel as though the document is trying to convince you of something? YES / NO
Look at the advertising on the page. Could the companies paying for the ads influence the content or cause bias?
YES / NO
Is the information useful for your purpose? YES / NO
Would it have been easier to get the information somewhere else? YES / NO
Would information somewhere else have been different? YES / NO
If so, why?_______________________________________________________________
Did the information lead you to other sources that were useful? YES / NO
When was the document created? ____________________________
Is the information current? YES / NO
Does up-to-date information matter for your purpose? YES / NO
Does the information appear biased? YES / NO
Does the author express his or her opinion as fact? YES /NO
Does the author support his ideas with references to show that he has done research? YES / NO
Does the information contradict something you found somewhere else? YES / NO
Can readers edit the content on the page? YES / NO
Does it matter if the page content is editable by users (readers)? YES / NO
Briefly describe the contents of this site:
Authority
Is there a person or organization responsible for the web page? YES / NO
Write the name of the person or the organization. ____________________________________
Is there an e-mail address to contact the author or authors? YES / NO
What authority or credentials does the person or organization have? Describe.
Is the Web page linked to a home page for an organization, commercial enterprise, or individual? (Circle one)
Has the site been reviewed by an online reviewing agency or won awards? YES / NO
Does the domain (i.e. edu, com, gov) of the page influence your evaluation of the site? YES / NO
Are you positive that the information is true? YES / NO
What can you do to prove that it is true?____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Are you satisfied that the information is useful for your purpose? YES / NO
If not, what can you do next? _____________________________________________________
Are you using this web page for your paper or project? YES / NO
Modified version of Kathy Schrock's Critical Evaluation Survey : Secondary School Level.
Used with permission. Modified by Barbara A. Jansen, Librarian, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Updated 9/22/05.