This lesson should give you an idea of what to consider when evaluating websites.

evaluation checklist.  After viewing all of them, we will use ranking worksheet in a group exercise to rank them from most to least valuable for doing a report on the health effects of tobacco.

 evaluation checklist provided:

A Webquest for Website Evaluation

You need skills to determine valuable websites from those filled with misinformation! 

You will work in pairs to view one of the following sites on tobacco.  You will then complete an
Please view one of the following websites and use the
http://www.no-smoke.org/
American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation
  • http://www.rjrt.com/home.asp
    R.J. Reynolds
  • http://www.lungusa.org/tobacco/
    American Lung Association (Tobacco Control section)
  • http://www.cs.brown.edu/~lsh/smoking.html
    Smoking from all Sides
  • http://tobacco.who.int/
    Tobacco Free Initiative (World Health Organization)
  • http://tobaccofreekids.org/
    Tobacco Free Kids website 
  • http://www.forces.org/evidence/pharma/index.htm
    Big Drug's Nicotine War
  • http://www.tobaccofreemidlands.com/
    Coalition for a Tobacco Free Midlands 
  • http://www.philipmorrisusa.com/DisplayPageWithTopic.asp?ID=75
    Phillip Morris Tobacco Company page on Youth Smoking Prevention

    • The evaluation checklist will cover the following criteria:
    Accuracy: Being true, correct, or exact Authority: An accepted source of information or advice Objectivity: Based on facts and without emotional or personal prejudice Currency: Being up-to-date Coverage: The extent to which something is observed, analyzed, and reported
    To cover ground more efficiently, each person will choose different criteria to evaluate.      The content specialist will determine accuracy, currency and coverage.  The credibility specialist will determining authority and objectivity.

    You will be evaluated on your completed evaluation checklists, ranking worksheet, and your participation in the large group discussion using this rubric.

    Almost all of you use the internet for information. The Internet is only one of a variety of information options. Remember that journals, books, videos and other sources are available as well. Evaluating information is a skill you will be using throughout your lifetime.

    Thanks go out to:
    Joyce Valenza's     A Webquest About Evaluating Websites
    Cornell University Library's     Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages
     

    A Webquest for Website Evaluation

    Evaluation Checklist
    Content Specialist Questions: Accuracy: Being true, correct, or exact Currency: Being up-to-date Coverage: The extent to which something is observed, analyzed, and reported
    Accuracy

    Yes
    No

      Are the authors of the site clearly stated?


      Is the name of the institution clearly stated?


      Do the authors provide sources for their information?


      Do the authors provide a way of contacting them?


    Totals:



    Currency
      Is it clear that the page was updated in 2007?


      Do the links work? (try a few)


    Totals:


    Coverage
      Is there more text on the page than images?


      Is the information factual?


      Are there links to credible websites?


      Do they seem to cover all sides of the topic?


    Totals:



    Credibility Specialist Questions: Authority: An accepted source of information or advice Objectivity: Based on facts and without emotional or personal prejudice or bias
    Authority

    Yes
    No

      Do the authors state their credentials (evidence of knowledge on the subject)?
     
     
      Does the institution state its credentials?
     
     
      Does it end in an .edu, .gov, .org, .info, or .net?
     
     
      Is the site a professional (not personal page)?
     
     

    Totals:

     
     
    Objectivity
     
     
      Does it have little or no advertising?
     
     
      Does the author use objective language (without passion)?
     
     
      Are there little or no opinions stated (beliefs, conclusions)?
     
     
      Is the institution without bias or prejudice (due to a profit or other motive)?
     
     

    Totals:

     
     
     
    Ranking Worksheet
    Please report the total number from the Yes column below:
    Website
    Accuracy
    Currency
    Coverage
    Authority
    Objectivity
    Total Rank
    American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation
     
     
     
     
     
     
    R.J. Reynolds
     
     
     
     
     
     
    American Lung Association
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Smoking from all Sides
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Tobacco Free Initiative
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Tobacco Free Kids website
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Big Drug's Nicotine War
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Coalition for a Tobacco Free Midlands
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Phillip Morris Tobacco Company
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Children Opposed to Smoking Tobacco