HIT: Guide to Thinking Critically About Web Resources

[JCONSTANT@UMASSD.EDU]

Permission has been granted by the author to post this guide to the LM_NET
list. The guide can be viewed on the Web at the following URL:
http://www.ucla.edu/campus/computing/bruinonline/trainers/critical.html

I am sharing it with teachers in my building, and am grateful to Esther
Grassian for granting me permission to post it on this list.

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Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources

  by Esther Grassian, UCLA College Library


   The World Wide Web has a lot to offer, but not all sources are equally
   valuable or reliable. Here are some points to consider.

    Content & Evaluation
     * What is the purpose of the Web Page & what does it contain?
     * How complete and accurate are the information and the links
       provided?
     * What is the relative value of the Web site in comparison to the
       range of information resources available on this topic? (Note: Be
       sure to check with a librarian.)
          + What other resources (print & non-print) are available in
            this area?
          + What are the date(s) of coverage of the site and
            site-specific documents?
          + How comprehensive is this site?
               o What are the link selection criteria if any?
               o Are the links relevant and appropriate for the site?
               o Is the site inward-focused, pointing outward, or both?
               o Is there an appropriate balance between inward-pointing
                 links ("inlinks") & outward-pointing links ("outlinks")?
               o Are the links comprehensive or do they just provide a
                 sampler?
               o What do the links offer that is not easily available in
                 other sources?
               o Are the links evaluated in any way?
               o Is there an appropriate range of Internet resources --
                 e.g., links to gophers?
               o Is multimedia appropriately incorporated?
          + Who is the audience?
     * How valuable is the information provided in the Web Page
       (intrinsic value)?

    Source & Date
     * Who is the author or producer?
     * What is the authority or expertise of the individual or group that
       created this site?
          + How knowledgeable is the individual or group on the subject
            matter of the site?
          + Is the site sponsored or co-sponsored by an individual or
            group that has created other Web sites?
     * Is any sort of bias evident?
     * When was the Web item produced?
     * When was the Web item mounted?
     * When was the Web item last revised?
     * How up to date are the links?
     * How reliable are the links; are there blind links, or references
       to sites which have moved?
     * Is contact information for the author or producer included in the
       document?

    Structure
     * Does the document follow good graphic design principles?
     * Do the graphics and art serve a function or are they decorative?
     * Do the icons clearly represent what is intended?
     * Does the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling and literary
       composition?
     * Is there an element of creativity, and does it add to or detract
       from the document itself?
     * Can the text stand alone for use in line-mode (text only) Web
       browsers as well as multimedia browsers, or is there an option for
       line-mode browsers?
     * Is attention paid to the needs of the disabled -- e.g., large
       print and graphics options; audio?
     * Are links provided to Web "subject trees" or lists of
       subject-arranged Web sources?

    Other
     * Is appropriate interactivity available?
     * When it is necessary; to send confidential information out over
       the Internet, is encryption (i.e., a secure coding system)
       available? How secure is it?
     * Are there links to search engines or are they built-in to the
       document?


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To contact the author, send mail to ecz5esg@mys.oac.ucla.edu

consult@ucla.edu

Last updated 31 July  95
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