Information Management: Evaluating Internet Resources

The extensive use of the World Wide Web as a replacement for traditional libraries has led to the assumption that generally available information is both reliable and authoritative. Information presented in a digital or electronic format somehow seems more believable. However, appropriately using information in whatever format requires you to think critically about the source and content of that information resource.

Criteria and Examples for Evaluation

By now, you will have seen the standard criteria used for evaluating information resources. Below are examples and counter-examples for the main criteria that can help you critically analyze information resources found on the Internet. More help is available by consulting Evaluating Web Resources by Tate and Alexander of Widener University. [http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/webeval.htm]

1. Authority

Who's responsible? (official/unofficial)

Census Bureau or George W. Bush?

How reliable? (authoritative/opinionated)

National Cancer Institute or Internet Health Resources

2. Content

How comprehensive? (extensive/selective)

Labyrinth Library: Middle English Bookcase or Bartlett's Book of Familiar Quotations

How current? (current/dated)

Foreign Exchange Rates or Small Business Profile of New Jersey 1995

3. Organization

What organization? (categorized/alphabetical)

International Affairs Resources or Central Banks Annual Reports

How searchable? (search engine/site map)

Shareware.Com or The White House

Ka-Neng Au, 23 Dec 2003