Choosing the Right Website

Content Specialist	1. Does the site cover the topic comprehensively? 2. Can you understand what is being said? Is it written above or below your level of understanding? 3. What is unique about the site? Does it offer something others do not? 4. Are there links to other sites about the topic? 5. Does it give the date the information was created? The date the material was last revised? 6. Would you get better information in a book? An encyclopedia? 7. Would you include this site in a bibliography?
Usability/Design Specialist	1. Is the site user friendly? 2. Is there a well-labeled table of contents? 3. Do all the design elements (graphics, art, buttons, etc.) enhance the message of the site? 4. Are there any errors in spelling or grammar? 5. Do the pages appear to be clean and uncluttered? 6. Do the links on this site work? 7. Would you include this site in a bibliography?
Bias/Purpose Specialist	1. Why was this site created? (to persuade, to educate) Is it a commercial (.com), government (.gov), academic (.edu), or non-profit Web site (.org)? 2. Is there any bias? Is only one side of the argument presented? Is it trying to persuade you to change your opinion? 3. Can you tell the facts from opinions? 4. Would you include this site in a bibliography?
Authority/Credibility Specialist	1. Who is responsible for this site? 2. What are his or her credentials? 3. Have the authors documented their own sources? 4. What is the domain name? Does it end in .com, .gov, .edu, .org, or .net? 5. Who else links to the site? You can perform a link check in Google by entering "link:webaddress" in the search box. Is it linked to other reliable sites? 6. Would you include this site in a bibliography?