Countless web pages are available on just about every topic, but how can you know what's worthwhile? Some of the fundamental questions to consider during evaluation are:

• Authority - who is the author of the web page, and what are her or his credentials? Is the author affiliated with or sponsored by an institution, organization, company, or association? What are the credentials and purpose of that institution or organization? Is the information presented logically, accurately, spelled correctly, and is it well-written? Does it contain verifiable, documented facts, or opinions? Is there negative bias?

• Coverage - how fully is the web page's topic presented? How does the content compare with other information resources (books, journal articles, other web pages) on the same topic? How comprehensive is the web page and the links it provides? How well does it meet your information need?

• Currency - when was the page or website created and when was it last updated? Are the links active and maintained? How accurate and up-to-date is the information?

• Purpose - what is the intent of the Web page, and who is its intended audience? For example, is its purpose to teach and inform; describe a position or issue; disseminate scholarly information; present facts or opinions; sell services, etc.

• Design - What kind of information - textual, visual, aural - does the page present, and does this add or detract from the page's usefulness or legibility? Do the different design components work, or are images, sound files, etc. unable to display, play, or run? Does the web page require specific add-on software in order to read, see, print, or listen to resources linked on the page? Is that add-on software readily available or must it be purchased?

  The following links may also be helpful:

  • Evaluating Information Found on the Web
  
  Identifies the major components of web pages, plus provides a brief list of questions to consider when evaluating the accuracy or usefulness of web-based information. From the award-winning RIO tutorials developed by the University of Arizona Library.
  • Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources
  
  One of the best and most thorough presentations of evaluation points to consider; developed by librarian Esther Grassian at UCLA College Library. If ever in doubt, consult her guide.