2. When Comparing Websites....
there are 4 main criteria
• Authority
• Accuracy
• Currency
• Objectivity
Wolfgram Memorial Library Reference Department. (2004). How to evaluate information on the Web. Widener University.
Retrieved January 6, 2011 from
http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/wolfgram_library/evaluate/default.aspx
3. I have an interest in nutrition......
so I'm going to compare web site information
on the benefits of whole grains using two web
sites
"WG GUIDE"
http://www.cspinet.or
g/nah/wwheat.html
4. Authority
Who's responsible?
What are their qualifications?
Using WHOIS, I search the
domain of the two websites Evaluation
http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp WG Guide: unusual web
address extension
neither educational,
commercial or
organizational. No
contact information.
WG Council: All contact
information available
(address, email and
phone numbers).
5. Accuracy
Are there other sources and links presented within the web page?
Using Google search, I use
link: before the URL in Evaluation
the search box to find WG Guide: 2 sites are
links to the websites linked to this web page.
ex. link:www.wholegraincouncil.org
WG Council: 163 sites are
linked to this site. More
links to other credible
sources.
6. Currency
Dates are written and revision dates are on the web page; no dead links.
Evaluation
WG Guide: Dated 1997 but
no recent revisions and
no copyright information.
One active link
WG Council: Copyrighted
and revised in 2011
7. Objectivity
Minimum bias and information is fair and balanced
Evaluation
WG Guide: Informative but
limited information.
Somewhat objective but
again information is
dated.
WG Council: Very
informative. Information
has some bias but it is
minimal given the
amount of information
and resources the page
is linked to.
8. Conclusions
The "WG Council" website is clearly more
informative and reliable because:
• There is an authority behind the website
• The website's links provide more accuracy
• There is currency because the website has
been revised recently and copyrighted.
• The web site offers objectivity because it
had minimal bias
