Knowledge Base

Currency

Date:

• When was the page created? Look to the very bottom to find this information. It could be a timeframe (eg. 2010-2017), or a copyright date (eg. ©2016).
• Has the information been updated since the original post?
• Some websites will list a revision date, or let you know a revision is in progress.
• Are the links still viable? Do they lead to current information?

Relevance

Usefulness: Is the information on the site useful to your current assignment?  Does it:

• support or refute an argument
• give examples (survey results, primary research, case studies)
• provide "wrong" information that can be challenged in a productive way?

Coverage: Does the page cover the topic comprehensively, partially, or is it an overview?

Audience: Who is the intended audience of the webpage? Is the level appropriate for your needs?  

• general readers,
• students (elementary, high school, college, graduate),
• specialists or professionals
• researchers or scholars

Authority

Author: 

Who is responsible for the page or article? Is the author an expert in this field? What else has he/she written or produced? Does the author provide an e-mail address?

Is a bias evident?  Is the author known to be affiliated with a political party or a political action group, lobbying association or a business?  Are they featured in the media discussing a particular issue?

On many websites, there is no individual author identified.  In these cases, the organization publishing the website is considered to be the author. 

Sponsor/Owner: 

What organization published the website?  Their logo and name may be in the header of the page, or down at the very bottom. Check the 'About Us' section and examine the web address and domain extension.

Is the organization known to be affiliated with a political party or a political action group, lobbying association or a business?  Are they featured in the media discussing a particular issue? Would the organization have an inherent bias on certain topics?

Accuracy

Sources: Are sources provided for the claims, statistics, and graphs? Can you distinguish between the facts being presented and the author’s opinion on them?

References: Are the links relevant and appropriate? Are the links evaluated and accurately represented?

Organization and Content: Is the page organized and focused? Is it well designed? Is the text well written? What types of ads and articles are on the site?

Illustrations: Are the graphics clear in intent, relevant and professional looking? Do the graphics add to or enhance the content?

Security: Are security and/or encryption systems employed when necessary?

Purpose

Purpose: What is the primary reason that was the page created?   

• To provide official information: laws & regulations, public services, educational institutions
• Marketing for a business: to advertise / sell a product or service  
• To influence views or promote a cause: political candidates or issues, beliefs or as satire
• To provide up-to-the-moment news: current events, play-by-play sports, breaking news, live commentary
• To entertain: games, humour, fandom, gossip, videos
• To share information & network: hobbies, interests, fandom, advice,  personal pages

Is the site dependent on clicks or subscriptions for advertising revenue?

Educational   

Identifiers    Name of institution in URL URL could end with .edu or .ca Information     Program and course offerings, application & registration information Policies, vision, mandate, annual reports Faculty CVs and publication lists Library sites will have many resources, but some may require a login from that institution Cautions Will not include negative or controversial information about the institution May house ungraded student projects (slideshows, websites, etc) which are not reliable sources

Corporate

Identifiers	Name of business or product prominently displayed Large businesses may have flashy graphics, small businesses may use a free hosting service
Information	Information on the product/service that they sell History of the business and how it is run Information for customers and business partners  Vision statement, Annual Reports, Media Releases
Cautions	Will not include negative or controversial information about the business, product or service Testimonials may not be genuine May provide useful information, but is geared towards getting your business

Trade

News

Crowd Source

Individuals