5 Steps To WebsiteEvaluation

Check for the date the Website may have been last updated. Often the date is found at the bottom or top of the Web page.

CURRENCY

Who wrote the Web page or Website? What makes that individual or organization qualified to write it? Who sponsors the Web page’s information?

AUTHORITY

Is the Website informational, entertaining, factual, or does it promote a product or service? Who is the intended audience? Does the information seem credible?

PURPOSE

Medline is Informational

YouTube is entertainment

The Onion is satire, or fake news stories

CocaCola.com wants you to buy

its products

Is the website from an organization with a known agenda? Is the information free from bias and prejudice? Look for sites that appear to be based on facts not opinions.

OBJECTIVITY

Be aware of how the organization’s bias affects the information being presented on its website

Check to verify if the Website contains a bibliography of references or a comprehensive list to other sources supporting its theme, topic, or agenda. If some of those other sources are Websites, do the links work? Is the Website easy to read and free from popup ads and clutter?

WRITING STYLE

Currency

Authority

Purpose

Objectivity

Writing Style

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN EVALUATING

WEBSITES

CONTACT US

You can contact us at www.jeffco.edu/library. Click on the ‘Ask a Librarian’ link to ask us a question by email, phone, text, or chat. You can also stop in the library at the Hillsboro or Arnold campuses. We’re here to help!