Introduction
Information on the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, seems to be exploding with each passing day. Just as we don't believe everything we hear on the radio, read in a newspaper, or see on T.V., we can't believe everything on the Internet. There are five basic criteria that you can use to evaluate Internet sites, which are very similar to the criteria used for evaluating other resources.
- Accuracy
- Authority
- Objectivity
- Currency
- Coverage
This brief tutorial highlights the above criteria for evaluating sources and sites on the Internet and Web. Additionally, this tutorial provides example sites for you to apply what you have learned. The tutorial should not take you much longer than 20 minutes.
- Read the brief overview about each criterion or concept.
- Review the sites listed below the brief overview, keeping in mind what you just learned.
- As you review the site, try to answer the question(s) provided.
Understanding a Web Page Layout can also be useful when evaluating a web site for content and aesthetics.
Instructors: Consult the worksheet section of this site to download examples for use in a classroom setting.