Transcript Document

Web Pages Evaluation
Criteria
Kiem-Dung Ta
Science Librarian
Science & Engineering Division
Edmon Low Library
Oklahoma State University
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (405)744-9743
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Topics Covered

The importance of Web Pages Evaluation
 Five evaluation criteria apply to Web Pages
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Topic Covered
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Additional Challenges Posed by Web Pages
and How to Cope with Them
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Web Pages Evaluation
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There is no lack of information on the Internet!
There is more information than ever before. But
this does not mean that the information is better or
relevant.
 Students need to be able to find information,
evaluate the information for relevancy.
 Five Web Page Evaluation Criteria
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Accuracy
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage
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Criterion #1: Accuracy
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How reliable and free from error is the
information.
 Are there editors and fact checker?
REMEMBER:

Almost anyone can publish on the Web
 Many Web pages not verified by editors and/or
fact checker
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Criterion #2: Authority
What are the author’s qualifications for writing on
the subject?
 How reputable is the publisher?
REMEMBER:
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Often difficult to determine authorship of a web
page.
 If author’s name listed, his/her qualifications
frequently absent.
 Publisher responsibility often not indicated.
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Criterion #3:
Objectivity

Is the information presented with a minimum of
bias?
 To what extent is the information trying to sway
the opinion of the audience?
 Do they hold a particular view?
REMEMBER:
Web page often functions as a “virtual soapbox”
 Goals/aims of person/s or group/s presenting
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material often not clearly stated.
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Criterion #4: Currency
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Is the content of the work up-to-date?
 Is the publication date clearly indicated?
REMEMBER:
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Dates not always included on Web pages.
 If included, a date may have various meanings:
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Date first created
Date placed on Web
Date last revised
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Criterion #5: Coverage
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What topics are included in the work?
 Is the information provided uniformly
complete for all the aspects and areas the
site claims to cover?
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Additional Challenges
Presented by Web Pages
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Use of Hyperlinks
 Search Engines Can Retrieve Pages Out of
Context
 Blending of Entertainment, Information, and
Advertising
 Software Requirements May Limit Access
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Coping Strategy
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Use of Hyperlinks:
– Evaluate each Web Page Independently
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Search Engines Can Retrieve Pages Out of Context:
– Always try to return to the “home page” to determine source of information
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Blending of Entertainment, Information, and Advertising:
– Caveat Emptor: “At Your Own Risk”
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Software Requirements May Limit Access:
-Be aware that software limitations may:
– Alter how much information is obtainable
– Alter the ApPearAncE of information obtained
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ULTIMATE CHALLENGE
 Applying This
Knowledge When
Using the Web as a Research Tool
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Conclusion
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Web Page Evaluation is Only a Beginning
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Establishing Web Page Evaluation
Procedures Will Be an Ongoing
Evolutionary Process
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Vocabulary

Glossary of terms
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