Self-Study
Evaluate each of the following websites using the criteria on the previous page.
SUBJECT - AIDS
TOPIC - What effect has AIDS had on the adult female population?
Click on one link at a time. (Open side by side browser windows.) Evaluate the page content for: Coverage, Authority, Objectivity, Accuracy and Currency .
Begin with Link 1  
| 1. Coverage |
Link 1 |
Link 2 |
Link 3 |
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Relevant
Do the topics covered include your topic? Does the page cover a variety of (too many) topics or is it focused on one relevant topic?
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Adequate
Does the page information adequately cover your topic: is it too general or too detailed?
- Audience appropriate
Is the content intended for children, scholars, general public? Was the page written to inform, educate, entertain (parody).
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Primary or secondary account (original or regurgitated?)
Does the page offer original (primary) information not covered elsewhere? Is this page a synthesis of other people's (secondary) accounts / writings? Is this the best page to cite, or does another page contain/summarize this information and present it in a better way
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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| 2. Authority |
Link 1 |
Link 2 |
Link 3 |
- Author of site
Is there an author named on the page? Is the author qualified?
If not, then . . .
- Sponsor of site
Is there a sponsor? Is the sponsor qualified? (i.e. Is there an "about us" or "our mission" link?)
If not, then . . .
- Link or contact Information
Is the author or sponsor's name, e-mail, postal address listed?
If not, then . . .
- Clues to page's origin Is there any other way to determine the page's author(s)? (header, footer, URL or domain name?
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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| 3. Objectivity |
Link 1 |
Link 2 |
Link 3 |
- Bias
Does the page/site show minimal signs of bias: political, ideological, personal, or cultural?
- Intent
Does the page present factual information or is it designed to sway opinion?
- Influence
If the site is sponsored or underwritten by advertising, is the writing free of bias supporting the sponsor?
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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| 4. Accuracy |
Link 1 |
Link 2 |
Link 3 |
- Factual
Does the author give factual information?
- Documented / well-researched
Does the author cite his/her sources? Is the research methodology explained?
- Subject to verification
Can the information be verified by additional resources in print on on the Web?
- Corroborated
Are links and resource citations included (possibly using MLA citation format.)
- Collaborative
Is a committee or editor named who reviews the content or verifies facts
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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| 5. Currency |
Link 1 |
Link 2 |
Link 3 |
- Date-stamped
Is there a "last updated" notation or evidence of recent changes?
If not, then . . .
- Seemingly current
Does the information seem current to you? Do news events, conference events or any bits information lead you to believe the page has been updated recently?
If not, then . . .
- Linked currently
Are the links still working? Do pages turn up with "this site has moved" or "page not found"
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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Yes
No
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Continue 
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