Evaluating Websites - JOUR202 - News Editing - Research Guides at University of Maryland Libraries

When Searching the Internet...

Keep in mind the following when you search the Internet:

Finding something is the easy part
Finding something good is the challenge
Evaluation is knowing the difference

Evaluation Criteria Overview

A number of criteria have been identified to assist in locating credible sources of information.

These are frequently grouped into the following categories:

Authority/Accuracy
Purpose and Content
Currency
Design/Organization/Ease of Use

Evaluating Web Resources

Web resources may help you connect with useful information on your topic. Be sure to evaluate the authority and reliability of all information found on the Internet. This guide may help you:

Checklist for Evaluating Web Sites (Word Document)
Media Bias/Fact Check
From the Media Bias/Fact Check homepage: We are the most comprehensive media bias resource on the internet. There are currently 2100+ media sources listed in our database and growing every day. Don’t be fooled by Fake News sources. Use the search feature above (Header) to check the bias of any source. Use name or url.
more...less...
Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC News) is an independent online media outlet. MBFC News is dedicated to educating the public on media bias and deceptive news practices.

MBFC News’ aim is to inspire action and a rejection of overtly biased media. We want to return to an era of straight forward news reporting.

Funding for MBFC News comes from site advertising, individual donors, and the pockets of our bias checkers.

Website Evaluation Examples

Review the example website assigned to your group using the criteria discussed in class:

Criteria: Authority/Accuracy

When judging the Authority of a web resource/website, look at the following:

Author

Who is providing the information?
What are their qualifications?

Affiliation
URL Hints (.gov, .org, .net, .edu, .com)
Links - where does the site lead you?
Contact information
Helpful Hint: If you truly are not sure who is sponsoring a particular site, try a WHOIS search - to determine who owns a website/domain name.

When judging the Accuracy of a web resource/website, look at the following:

Is it sloppy or full of errors?
Are sources given?
Has the site been evaluated?
How did you find this site?

Broad search engine?
Selective directory?
Link from a reputable source?

Criteria: Purpose/Content

When assessing the Purpose and Content of a web resource/web site, consider the following:

Stated or implicit purpose

Advocacy
Commercial use
Hoax/Counterfeit
Informative
Humor/Spoof
Personal page
Propaganda
Hacked information

Coverage

What topics are included
Are the topics explored in depth

Evidence of bias

Is there a minimum of bias?
To what extent is information contained on the site trying to sway

Criteria: Currency

Depending upon the purpose of the website (see above), Currency may need to be taken into account. Considerations include:

Update frequency - is this historical data (a copy of an old map), or does it need to be current (e.g. stock information)?
Currency of links - are links from the page/site current, or are they out-of-date?

Criteria: Design, Organization, and Ease of Use

The last criteria helps you determine the usability of a page. Considerations for Design, Organization and Ease of Use include:

Does the layout serve the user?

Is it logical? Well organized?
Are there "help" features?

Is the design logical and easy to follow?
How far do you have to scroll to find needed information?
Are buttons and boxes large enough?

JOUR202 - News Editing