Critical Analysis of WWW Resources

Content

• What is the purpose of the site and what does it contain?
• How complete is the information (excerpts, abstracts, samples)?
• How does the information compare with other resources (books, periodicals, reference sources, videos)?
• Who is the intended audience of the site (education level, profession, skill level)? Is this appropriate to you?
• Is the information provided as a public service?
• Content example

Source & Authority

• Who is the author or producer (clear, obvious)?
• Is there a way of verifying the legitimacy of the page's sponsor/creator (phone #, postal address)?
• What is the authority or expertise of the individual or group that created the site?
• If the material is protected by copyright, is the name of the copyright holder given? Example
• Source & authority example

Date

• Three essential dates: when the page was written, when it was posted, and when it was last revised.
• Any guarantees/claims that the information is kept up to date?
• How up to date are the links?
• Is date information provided about data (e.g. charts, graphs, surveys)?
• Date example

Structure

• Is there and index/table of contents/site map for navigation?
• Is there a search capability?
• Is the design and layout logical and easy to use?
• Are the graphics functional/useful?
• Are there both multimedia and text-only options (high bandwidth and low bandwidth)?
• Structure example

Accuracy & Objectivity

• Are sources clearly identified and listed so they can be verified?
• Are there guarantees/claims about the accuracy of the information?
• Is any sort of bias evident?
• How reliable are the external links?
• Is the information free of advertising?
• Accuracy & objectivity example

Created by Jonathan Demers
For MIT 144f
October 11, 1997