REAL
WebQuest:     Evaluating WebSites
Webmaster -- Carol Bach                                                              Last updated on October 20, 2006
cbach@luthernorth.org                                         Based on a template from Yahoo SiteBuilder 2.3

--  Who is responsible for the page's content? Is the page signed by the author?
    Hint: Look up the author's name in Google or Yahoo
--  What are the author's credentials? Is he or she an expert in the field? Is
   biographical information included?  Hint: Whois.net is a Web-based domain
   research service that provides background information relating to Web sites.
   When the URL or domain name for a Web site is entered into the Whois
    database, all Web sites featuring that domain name will appear in the results.
   For each address, Whois provides information about who registered the site,
   the name & address of the organization behind the site, contact information &
   server information.
--  Can the author be contacted by email?
--  Is the Web page linked to a home page for an institution, organization,
   commercial enterprise, or individual?
--  If the author is affiliated with an institution or organization, what are the
   purposes of the institution? Is there information provided about it, including
   the history of the institution, in addition to a street address?
--  Does the author cite the sources of information he or she used to develop the
   site?
--  Is it possible to verify the legitimacy of these sources?
--  Is this a personal page? Hint: Look for ~ or %, or the words "users,"
   "members," or "people" in the URL.
--  What type of domain is it? Is this appropriate for the content?
     Hint: Look at the URL (uniform resource locator, or site address, to see the
    type of site. Some of the most common are:
    .edu = Educational institutions
    .k12 = U.S. school site
    .gov = Non-military government organizations
    .com = Commercial corporations
     .org = Not-for-profit organizations
     .mil = U.S. military organizations
     .net = Internet resource companies
    .pro = Professionals
    .name = Personal Web sites
     .museum = Museums
     .aero = Airline groups
     .coop = Business cooperatives
     .uk, .ca, .jp, etc. = Country codes
     .biz = General use
     .info = General use                                      
--  Who is the publisher? Is it published by an entity that makes sense?
     Hint: In general, the publisher is the agency or person operating the "server"
    computer from which the document is issued.  The server is usually named in
    the first portion of the URL, between http:// and the first /.
--  Who links to this site? Are these reputable authorities and institutions?
    Hint: In Google, search: link: type in all or part of the URL
Authority / Credibility Specialist:

--  Is the title of the page indicative of its content?
--  Is the purpose of the page indicated on the
   home page?
--  Is the information useful for your purpose?
--  Can you verify the information?
--  Does the information lead you to other sources, both print & Web, that are
   useful?
--  Is a bibliography of print sources included?
--  Is the coverage comprehensive and detailed or are there obvious gaps?
--  Does the information contradict something you found somewhere else?
--  Can readers edit the content on the page?
--  Are the links provided relevant and appropriate?
--  Are the links in the site comprehensive or used merely as examples?
--  Do the links on the page point to the correct Internet site addresses?
--  Are there dead links?
--  Is there a date the page was written?
--  Is there a date the page was placed on the Web?
--  is there a copyright date?
--  How frequently is the resource updated?
--  Are the resources used and information provided by the author current?
--  Does the page content demand routine or continual updating or revision?
--  Is some of the information obviously out-of-date?
--  Does the site contain original material or simply links?
--  What is unique about this site? Does it offer something others do not?
Content / Currency Specialist:
Objectivity / Purpose Specialist:

--  What is the main purpose of the site? --
   to inform, persuade, advocate for a cause, sell, entertain,
   share, explain, etc.?
--  Is there advertising on the page? What are the aims of the site sponsor?
--  Could the companies paying for the ads influence the content or cause bias?
--  Is the page without conflict of interest?
--  Do you trust the author or organization providing the information?
--  Does the author have a vested interest in the topic?
--  Is the information factual or opinion?
--  Is the material presented with a minimum of bias? -- political, ideological,   
   cultural, religious, or institutional?
--  Is coverage fair, balanced & reasonable?
--  Is only one side of the argument presented or are different points of view     
   represented?
--  If there is bias, is it useful to you in some way?
--  Does it appear that any information is purposely omitted?
--  Is there a hidden message?
--  Think about the tone of the page. Is it possibly satire or parody?
--  Is it a "rant," an extreme view, possibly distorted or exaggerated?
--  Go to www.alexa.com & paste the site URL into the search box.
    Record the brief subjective review of the target site.
--  Is this site good for some things & not for others?
--  Would you include the information this site in your research project?
Usability / Design Specialist:

--  Is the site user-friendly?  Easy to navigate?
--  Is the site free of banners & pop-ups?
--  Does the page take a long time to load?
--  Is the site easily browsable?
--  Must you register a name & password before using the site?
--  Is this a fee-based site? If so, can non-members still have access to part of the
   site?
--  How much scrolling must be done?
--  Does the site offer interactivity?
--  Do the links on the site work?
--  Who is the intended audience?  
--  Does the design work for them?
--  Do the colors, graphics & other design elements enhance or distract the viewer
   from the content of the site?
--  What is the quality of the graphic elements?
--  Are there errors in spelling or grammar?
--  Do the pages appear clean & uncluttered?
--  Is there consistency in the basic formats of each page?
--  Are there headings & sub-headings on the page? If so, are they helpful?
--  Are photos clearly labeled & sources cited?
--  Does the site have its own search engine?
--  On supporting pages, is there a link back to the home page?