Evaluating Internet Resources

To evaluate a web page (and determine if you want to use it for your research) look for:


Purpose:

  • Why was the page created?

    Organisation and Content:

  • Is the page organised and focused?
  • Is it well designed?
  • Is the text well written?
  • Are the links relevant and appropriate?
  • Are the links evaluated?
  • Is the scope or purpose of the web page clearly stated?
  • Is the document written for an academic audience?
  • Are the sources for any factual information clearly listed?
  • Is a bibliography or list of works cited provided?
  • Can you verify citations from your own academic resources?
  • Is the information free of spelling and grammatical errors?

    Objectivity/Bias of the author:
    Distinguish between fact and opinion. Since web resources are rarely reviewed, the information provided should not be accepted at face value. Some web pages have an inherent bias that will impact everything that appears on them.

  • What is the theological orientation of the author or sponsor?
  • Is there objective analysis as opposed to mere expression of opinion?
  • Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?
  • Is there use of bibliographical references to other credible sources?

    Date of Production/Revision:
    The value of a web page is closely related to currency and timeliness.

  • When was it last revised?
  • Are the links still viable?
  • Is the date of creation of the page provided?
  • Are the links in the document current (i.e. have not expired or moved)?

    Usefulness:

  • Is the web page relevant to the current research project?
  • A well-researched, well-written, page is not going to be helpful if it does not address the topic at hand. Ask, "is this useful to me?" If it is useful, does it:
  • support an argument
  • refute an argument
  • provide "wrong" information that can be challenged or disagreed with productively
  • What is the relative value of the website compared to the range of information resource (print and non-print) available on the topic?

    Authorship

  • What is the provenance of the website?
  • Does the page have an identifiable, respectable author? If not, the page must be used with caution.
  • What is the institutional affiliation of the author? Does this imply a particular theological perspective?
  • Who is responsible for the page?
  • Is the author an expert in this field?
  • What else has he/she written or produced?
  • How accurate is the provided information?
  • Is the author of the document clearly stated?
  • Are the credentials of the author(s) provided (i.e. position, education, occupation)?
  • Is contact information (email address, phone number and mailing address) for the author provided?
  • Do you believe this person is qualified to write on the given topic? (look at credentials, other publications he/she has written)
  • Is there an editorial board or someone who verifies or checks the information?

    Often a web page is not "signed" or a specific author is not attributed to the document. If this is the case you should try to determine the credibility of the host or sponsoring organisation of the web document. If you can, answer the following:

  • Is the sponsoring organisation reputable?

    Audience:

  • To what type of reader is the web page directed?
  • Is the level appropriate for your needs?
  • Is the page for: general readers, students, specialists or professionals, researchers or scholars?

    Coverage:

  • Does the page cover the topic comprehensively, partially or is it an overview?
  • Are the links relevant and appropriate for this site?
  • What do the links offer that is not easily available in other sources?
  • Are the links evaluated in any way? Are annotations included?

    Illustrations:

  • Are the graphics clear in intent, relevant and professional looking?
  • Do the graphics add to or enhance the content?

    Tom Power