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21W.013: Introduction to contemporary rhetoric: Website Evaluation

The ABCD of Web Evaluation: What to look for 

  • Authority - Who is the author? What are the author's credentials?  Does the author have expertise in the area? Is the author associated with a reputable organization?
  • Bias - Is the information balanced? Is it more opinion than fact? Is the page a presentation of facts or designed to sway opinion? Is a product, service, donate button, or idea being sold?
  • Currency - When was the page last updated? Are any links dead? Is the information consistent with your knowledge in the subject?
  • Documentation - Is information documented with references? Are the facts given supported with evidence? If statistics are provided, what is the source? Is the page free of spelling mistakes

Adapted from: https://libguides.wccnet.edu/researchtoolkit/evaluatewebsite

Check for Bias

Bias chart

From: https://sarahlawrence.libguides.com/c.php?g=803305&p=5888276

From: https://libguides.wccnet.edu/researchtoolkit/evaluatewebsite