Assessing Web Sites

L&D professionals operating in the digital world

J Holmes based on materials from the Open University UK

Background

• Critical evaluation of information is an essential skill.

• This is particularly so in the digital realm, where existence can masquerade as authority.

A simple framework…

• A structured approach to evaluate information

• Assess the quality and relevance of websites

PROMPT

• Presentation

• Relevance

• Objectivity

• Method

• Provenance

• Timeliness

Presentation

• Is the information clearly communicated?

• Look at language, layout, structure, etc.

Relevance

• does the information match the needs of the searcher?

• Look at the introduction or overview – what is it mainly about?

Objectivity

• Is the author’s position of interest made clear?

• Look for an introduction or overview – do the writers state their position on the issue?Is the language emotive?Are there hidden, vested interests?

Method

• Is it clear how research data was collected?

• Were the methods appropriate? Do you trust it?

Provenance

• Is it clear where the information has come from?

• Can you identify the authors or organisations? How was it published?

Timeliness

• Is it clear when the information was produced?

• Does the date of the information meet your requirements? Is it obsolete?

Reference

Open University, Module H800

http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=515728