Websites can be evaluated by many of the same criteria that would be used for books or other sources. The Content criteria listed below apply to any medium. Because websites can vary so much in layout, the Design criteria are a bit different.  Note, however, that most deal with the degree to which the site facilitates comprehension, not how many bells and whistles the site contains. 

• Content (see Evaluation Criteria for explanation of these criteria)
  • Authority
  • Accuracy
  • Objectivity: In addition to the points mentioned by Alexander and Tate in their Checklist, try to ascertain if the site is sponsored by a group with a particular viewpoint (e.g., The Napoleon Series may have a generally favorable impression of Napoleon; the French magazine Royaliste, dedicated to the restoration of the monarchy in France, may not!)
  • Currency
  • Coverage
• Design
  • Readability
  • Organization and layout of pages
  • Clarity and ease of navigation
  • Attractiveness

References:

Alexander, Jan and Marsha Ann Tate, Evaluating Web Resources, 1996-1999, <http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/webeval.htm> (20 Aug 2000).

Beck, Susan E. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources. May 15, 2000. <http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html> (6 Sept. 2000)

Created by John I. Brooks III. Last updated 01/01/04.
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