There are many different models for evaluating websites.
The CRAAP test, which stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority,Accuracy, Purpose, is a list of criteria/questions that you should keep in mind as you evaluate a book, article or website.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING WEB SITES
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WHO?
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- Who wrote the page?
- Who published the document?
- Is the person qualified to write the document?
- Does the author provide an email or contact address/phone number?
- What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
- Is the author an organization rather than a person?
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WHAT?
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- What is the purpose of the document? Is it designed to persuade? To educate? To entertain?
- What goals or objectives does this page meet?
- What opinions are expressed by the author?
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WHERE?
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- Where does the document originate? (Check the domain name)
- .edu - Educational
- .com - Commercial
- .gov - Government
- .net - Internet Service Provider
- ~ often indicates a personal page
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WHEN?
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- When was the page originally produced?
- When was it last updated?
- How up-to-date are the links?
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WHY?
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- Why was the page created? Is it designed to persuade? To educate? To entertain?
- What opinions are expressed by the author?
- Is the page a mask for advertising? Is it meant to be a practical joke?
- View any Web page as you would an infomercial on television - figure out who the page was written for and why
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HOW?
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- Can you get in?
- Does the site load quickly?
- Can you move around the site easily?
- Is the site or page still there next time?
- Is there a text-only alternative for the visually-impaired?
- Is the source of the information clearly cited?
- Does the page require any special software or subscription to view?
- Are there a lot of spelling errors on the page?
- If there are advertisments, do the interfere with your ability to use the page?
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