* Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number.

* Know the distinction between author and Webmaster

* What credentials are listed for the
author(s)?

* Where is the document published? Check URL domain.

* What goals/objectives does this page meet?a

* How detailed is the information?

* What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?

* Determine if page is a mask for advertising; if so information might be biased.

* View any Web page as you would an infomercial on television. Ask yourself why was this written and for whom?

* When was it produced?

* When was it updated?

* How up-to-date are the links (if any)?

* How many dead links are on the page?

* Are the links current or updated regularly?

* Is the information on the page outdated?

* Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents’ theme?

* Is it all images or a balance of text and images?

* Is the information presented cited correctly?

* If page requires special software to view the information, how much are you missing if you don’t have the software?

* Is it free, or is there a fee, to obtain the information?

* Is there an option for text only, or frames, or suggested browser for better viewing?

* Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her, and…

* Authority. If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and…

* Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and…

* Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and…

* Coverage. If you can view the information properly-not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then…

You may have a higher quality Web page that could be of value to your research!

Table courtesy of Jim Kapoun, Southwest State University