Directions:  Follow the checklist to evaluate websites.

v     Good websites have a clearly identified and knowledgeable author.

ü      Does the site identify the author(s)?

ü      Is the author’s background described?

ü      Does the author appear to represent any group or organization?

v     Good websites are up-to-date.

ü      Can the user tell when the site was last updated?

ü      Are dates attached to the information presented?

ü      If the site links to “other” sites, how “old” are those sites?

ü      Do the links work, or have they “expired”?

v     Good websites include informative content as well as links and pictures.

ü      Read the information presented:  is there any obvious bias displayed?

ü      Is the information easy to follow, uncluttered and interesting?

ü      Is the information technical enough, but not too technical?

ü      Are there many spelling and grammatical errors?

v     Good websites have a pleasing and useful design.

ü      Are there advertisements or any other distractions?

ü      Is the page too “busy” with graphics?

ü      If sound and/or movies are presented, do they work?

ü      Are directions clear and easy to find?

Remember…

1. The Internet is only one source of information.

2. It can be very useful for researching certain topics.

3. It can be almost useless for other topics.

4. To research a topic thoroughly, use a variety of sources, both Internet and non-Internet.