School librarian lesson on evaluating web sites for use in research projects.

1. Web Site Evaluation
Based off: Kathy Schrock’s
5Ws of Web Site Evaluation
Created by: NCUSD 203’s
LRC Directors 2006
Revised by: Josh Mika, Beebe
Elementary LRC 2007

2. IMSA’s 21st
Century Information
Fluency Project & The Big 6

3. Kathy Schrock’s 5 Ws
of Web Site Evaluation
1. Who
2. What
3. When
4. Where
5. Why

4. Ask Yourself: Who
Who’s the author?
Person, Organization, Both
Look for information or
references to the person and/or
organization.
What are his/her credentials?
Look for a biography or resume.
Look for other sites who cite this
author or this web site.
Can I contact the author?
Anyone can create a fake email.
Look for phone and mailing
address.

5. Ask Yourself: What
.com
.net
.edu
.k12.[state].us
.gov
.mil
.org
• Commercial
• Network
• Higher Education*
• K-12 Education*
• Government*
• Military
• Nonprofit
Organization*
What does the URL tell you?

6. Ask Yourself: What
 What does the author say is
the purpose of the site?
Look for an “about us”
What else might the author
have in mind for the site?
Bias (prejudice)
Facts or opinions
Is the site easy to use?
A well organized site allows you
to navigate, search, and locate
information quickly.

7. Ask Yourself: When
Is the information current?
Undated factual information is no
better than anonymous information-
don’t use it!
When was the site last updated?
Information and links can change
overnight.
The author might have lost interest
in his/her page.

8. Ask Yourself: Where
Where does the information
come from?
Look for a bibliography,
works cited, or references
page.
Are there external links to
related information?
A responsible site will
redirect you to other useful
Web sites covering similar
topics.

9. Ask Yourself: Why
Why is this information
useful for my purpose?
Focus on your research goals.
Why should I use this
information?
Don’t just add this site to pad
your bibliography.
Why is this page better than
another?
REMEMBER: Anyone can put ANYTHING on the Internet!

10. Research Tips
Online Databases
Subscription
Credible
Purpose & resources are clear
Search Engines
Use Boolean search terms
• And, Or, Not
• “Exact Phrases”
Try different search engines
Cross Reference Facts
Cite your sources

11. Works Cited
5Ws of Web Site Evaluation. Dir. Naperville 203's LRC Directors. Slide Program. 2006.
Agrella, Chance. Photo 1484. Freerange Stock. 17 July 2007 <http://www.freerangestock.com/details.php?
gid=&sgid=&pid=1484>.
Agrella, Chance. Photo 1752. Freerange Stock. 17 July 2007 <http://www.freerangestock.com/details.php?
gid=&sgid=&pid=1752>.
Bell, Darwin. The Thin Walk Among Us. Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License: Attribution). 17 July 2007
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/53611153@N00/316302213>.
Dodger, My Boy. April 2007. Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License: Attribution). 17 July 2007
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/92123561@N00/456721840>.
d, social. Lemon LAN. Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License: Attribution). 17 July 2007
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/88548643@N00/139617711>.
Eagle, Abominable. The Physical Impossibility of Anything for Someone Blase. Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License:
Attribution). 17 July 2007 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/21871279@N00/157133651>.
Eisenberg, Michael B., and Robert E. Berkowitz. "3-6 Grade." The Big 6. 2005. 17 July 2007 <www.big6.com/kids/3-
6.htm>.
Illinois Math And Science Academy. "Digital Information Fluency (DIF)." IMSA 21st Century Information Fluency
Project. 2007. 17 July 2007 <http://21cif.imsa.edu/>.
Kaminski, Peter. Stop All Way. Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License: Attribution). 17 July 2007
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/35034359460@N01/1510724>.
Kamminga, Dan. OHno! Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License: Attribution). 17 July 2007
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/42126397@N00/23306069>.
lisaschaos. Wanna Hold Me? It's Gonna Cost Ya. Flickr.com:(Creative Commons License: Attribution). 17 July 2007
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/84678534@N00/404134189>.
Schrock, Kathy. "5Ws of Web Site Evaluation." Kathy Schrock. 2003. Discovery School. 17 July 2007
<http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/5ws.pdf>.