• To begin, type (or paste) the URL of the website being evaluated into the box;
• Then type the answers to at least three selected evaluation questions in the text box on each page, as directed;
• Produce a one page evaluation report by clicking Print Report and printing the page, or
• Copy the summary report to a word processing document to create a permanent file (the Wizard does not save a copy)
• Review students' Summary pages to gain insights into their ability to evaluate digital information. The guide below may be used to develop a rubric for assessing your students' evaluation abilities.
• Although 10 sets of evaluation questions are provided, not all 10 categories are needed every time to inform decision making. The important thing is to ask enough of the right questions to establish the credibility of the resource. Assign at least three question categories from the table below, depending on the type and difficulty of the information being assessed. Usually, Author (or Publisher), Evidence and Links To will be sufficient.
Starting in Grades 4 and 5, involve students in evaluating Author, Publisher and Accuracy.
In Middle School, add Links To/From, Evidence and Date.
In High School, add Bias, Print Sources and Expert Review to the mix.
The text boxes in the Evaluation Wizard allow editing, but if you prefer writing with a word processor--which allows you to save your work--here is file that duplicates the IMSA Evaluation Wizard online questions:
Comprehensive evaluations of sample sites completed by librarians and teachers are also available at the link above. The work your students turn in will be less exacting, but encourage them to be thorough for their age and grade level.
The choice of websites to evaluate is left to your discretion--best to coordinate them so the topics match classroom assignments. If you use the list of hoax sites in this Resource Kit as a starting point, be sure to provide counter-examples as well--pages with information that can be trusted.
| Categories / Questions |
Rubric / Examples |
Author:
What is the author's expertise on the topic? |
The student provides sufficient detail about the following:
- The amount of experience the author has in this area
- The author's occupation
- The author's educational background
- Gives examples of the author's reputation among other experts in the field
|
Publisher:
How reliable is the publisher (site) of the web page? |
- Whether this a national or international organization
- The mission (purpose) of the organization
- If this site sponsors the author's page or just provides web space
- Whether the site provides a contact for further information
|
Accuracy:
How accurate is the information in this document? |
- Whether the content of the site is a true reflection of what it says it is
- Whether facts are correct
- If there is a way to judge accuracy, such as independent access to information upon which the site is based
- Whether the information contains typographical or grammatical errors
|
Links to this page:
Do other reliable (or unreliable) pages provide links to the author's page? |
- Whether these pages support or contradict facts or opinions on the author's page
- If these pages add any new information or perspective on the topic
- Whether reputable subject matter sites link to this page
- If these pages are on the same or different sites
- If these pages are in the same or a different domain
|
Links from this page:
How reliable are the pages that the author's page link to? |
- Whether these pages support or contradict facts or opinions on the author's page
- If these pages add any new information on the topic
- If the pages are on another site or the same site
- If the pages are from the same or a different domain
|
Evidence:
What evidence is provided to support opinions and conclusions expressed in the document? |
- The types of data the author provides to support each important opinion or conclusion
- Whether the data is quantitative or qualitative
- The extent to which evidence is accepted by authorities on the topic
- Whether there contact information for the author or publisher that would enable one to check the information
|
Date:
How recently was the page published or updated? |
- Whether the date of publication affects the reliability of the information
- If the date the document was last updated affects the reliability of the information
- Whether the date of publication or updating can accurately be determined
|
Bias:
Does the page show signs of bias in its perspective or presentation? |
- If the language of the document is often extreme
- If the argument appeals more to the emotions than to reason
- If the argument oversimplifies or over generalizes
- Whether the author presents a limited perspective on the topic
|
Print Sources:
What information on the topic is available from traditional sources such as newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias or library resources on the web? |
- Whether these pages support or contradict facts or opinions on the author's page
- If these pages add new information or perspectives on the topic
- Whether these sources are likely to be more reliable than the author's page
|
Expert Review:
Can you contact someone with expertise in the area to validate
the opinions or conclusions expressed in the document? |
- Whether they know someone with experience or expertise on this topic
- Who they know who could refer them to an expert on the topic
- Their ability to locate someone online whose credibility on this topic is well established
|
