Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages

1. Accuracy of Web Documents
   Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
   What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
   Is the person qualified to write this document?
   Make sure the author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number.
   Know the distinction between author and Webmaster.


2. Authority of Web Documents
   Who published the document and is it seperate from the Webmaster?
   Check the domain of the document, what institution publishes this document?
   Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?
   What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
   Where is the document published?
   Check URL domain.
   
3. Objectivity of Web Documents
   What goals or objectives does this page meet?
   How detailed is the information?
   What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?
   Determine if the page is a mask for advertising: if so information might be biased.
   View any Web pages as you would infomercial on television. Ask yourself why was this written and for whom?
   
4. Currency of Web Documents
   When was it produced?
   When was it updated?
   How up-to-date are the links (if any)?
   Currency of Web Documents
   How many dead links are on the page?
   Are the links current or updated regularly?
   Is the information on the page outdated?


5. Coverage of the Web Documents
   Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents theme?
   Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
   Is the information presented cited correctly?
   If the page requires special software to view the information, how much are you missing if you don't have the software?
   Is it free, or is there a fee to obtain the information?
   Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?

Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her, and ...

Authority. If your page lists the author credentials, and its domain is preferred: edu, gov, org or net, and...

Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and ...

Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and ...

Coverage. If you can view the information properly-not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then ...

Then you may have a higher quality Web Page that could be of value to your research!