PROJECT TWO: Website Review - 10 points; due 09/03

Instructions

Follow the instructions carefully. Students are required to select one web resource from the Internet, describe its contents, and then write an evaluation according to the criteria below.

• Read the instructions.

• Select ONE web resource. Suggestion - use one of the web resources from the professor’s Webliography found under Course Resources.

• Create a Word document and place your name, date, and course name on the first page. Label it: last name, WR Evaluation. Place it in your Assignment folder when completed.

• After writing a description of the web resource, answer these questions according to the criteria for evaluation web resources.

• Suggestion: Copy the questions and then write out the answer to each one in italics.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING WEB RESOURCES (Thanks to the UMUC library.)

Criterion #1: Authority

• Is it clear who is sponsoring the creation and maintenance of the web resource?
• Is there information available describing the purpose of the sponsoring organization?
• Is there a way to verifying the legitimacy of the web resource’s sponsor? For instance, are phone numbers, street and e-mail addresses available to contact for more information?
• Is it clear who developed and wrote the material? Are his/her qualifications for writing on this topic clearly stated? Is there contact information for the author of the material?
• What is the copyright information? Make certain to include it in all web resource references.

Criterion #2: Accuracy

• Are the sources for factual information given so they can be verified?
• Is it clear who has the responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented?
• If statistical data is presented in graphs or charts, are they labeled clearly?
• Are there errors you can substantiate in the data presented?
• Is the web resource safe to use?
• Does the web site lead you to unsafe links?

Criterion #3: Objectivity

• Is the web resource and the information included offered as a public service?
• Is it free of advertising?
• Is it free to use? Some sites, for example genealogy search sites charge a fee.
• If there is advertising on the web resource, is it clearly separated from the informational content? [Note: do not use web resources that advertise.]
• Are there any other signs of bias? For example, if using a privately-funded web resource what are the funding sources (a conservative or liberal political organization, a religious institution, an anti-scientific cause)?

Criterion #4: Currency

• Are there dates on the web resource to indicate the following:
• When the information was written?
• When the web site was first placed on line?
• When the web site (and all the information) was last revised or edited?
• Are there any other indications that the material is updated frequently to ensure currency of the data?
• Are the links on the web resource up-to-date and do these links adhere to the criteria noted in this exercise?

Criterion #5: Coverage

• Is there an indication that the web resource has been completed and is not still under construction?
• If the material is from a work that is out of copyright (as is often the case with a dictionary or thesaurus), has there been an effort to update the material to make it more current?
• Are there any other signs of omissions?
• Does it cover the subject adequately

Rubric for Web Resource Evaluation Project

The grading scale based upon 10 possible points is: A=10-9; B=8; C=7; D=6; F=5 or below.

To earn an A or 10-9 points: Student wrote a clear description of the web resource and answered all five of the evaluation criteria completely and succinctly. Sentences are well constructed. Spelling and grammar are excellent.

To earn a B or 8 points: Student wrote a description of the web resource, but left out some details. He/she answered four out of the five evaluation criteria completely and succinctly. For the most part, sentences are well constructed. There are a few spelling and grammatical errors.

To earn a C or 7 points: Student wrote a fair description of the web resource, but left out important details. He/she answered three out of the five evaluation criteria completely and succinctly. Sentences are often unclear. Grammar and spelling need improvement.

To earn a D or 6 points: Student’s description of the web resource is unclear. He/she answered two out of the five evaluation criteria. There are numerous errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling.

To earn a F or 5 points or below: Student failed to write a description of the web resource. He/she answered one out of the five evaluation criteria. There are considerable errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling.

No late papers will be accepted unless there is an extreme emergency and proper documentation is provided.