What
is the purpose of the Web Page & what does it contain?
How
complete and accurate are the information and the links provided?
What
is the relative value of the Web site in comparison to the range of information
resources available on this topic? (Note: Be sure to
check with a librarian.)
What
other resources (print & non-print) are available in this area?
What
are the date(s) of coverage of the site and site-specific documents?
How
comprehensive is this site?
What
are the link selection criteria if any?
Are
the links relevant and appropriate for the site?
Is
the site inward-focused, pointing outward, or both?
Is
there an appropriate balance between inward-pointing links ("inlinks" i.e.,
within the same site)& outward-pointing links ("outlinks" i.e., to other
sites)?
Are
the links comprehensive or do they just provide a sampler?
What
do the links offer that is not easily available in other sources?
Are
the links evaluated in any way?
Is
there an appropriate range of Internet resources -- e.g., links to gophers?
Is
multimedia appropriately incorporated?
How
valuable is the information provided in the Web Page (intrinsic value)?
Who
is the author or producer?
What
is the authority or expertise of the individual or group that created this
site?
How
knowledgeable is the individual or group on the subject matter of the
site?
Is
the site sponsored or co-sponsored by an individual or group that has
created other Web sites?
Is
any sort of bias evident?
When
was the Web item produced?
When
was the Web item mounted?
When
was the Web item last revised?
How
up to date are the links?
How
reliable are the links; are there blind links, or references to sites which
have moved?
Is
contact information for the author or producer included in the document?
Structure
Does
the document follow good graphic design principles?
Do
the graphics and art serve a function or are they decorative?
Do
the icons clearly represent what is intended?
Does
the text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling and literary composition?
Is
there an element of creativity, and does it add to or detract from the document
itself?
Can
the text stand alone for use in line-mode (text only) Web browsers as well
as multimedia browsers, or is there an option for line-mode browsers?
Is
attention paid to the needs of the disabled -- e.g., large print and graphics
options; audio; alternative text for graphics?
Are
links provided to Web "subject trees" or directories -- lists of subject-arranged
Web sources?
How
usable is the site? Can visitors get the information they need within a reasonable
number of links (preferably 3 or fewer clicks)?
Other
Is
appropriate interactivity available?
When
it is necessary to send confidential information out over the Internet, is
encryption (i.e., a secure coding system) available? How secure is it?
Are
there links to search engines or is a search engine attached to (embedded
in) the Web site?
About
the Author
Esther Grassian holds a MLS in Library Science from UCLA and currently is the
Instructional Services Coordinator, UCLA College Library. Her professional background
includes teaching library and information sciences, and research to create and
experiment with use of an online database consisting of merged ready reference
file data. Her publications pertaining to various aspects of library science
include refereed journal articles, book chapters, books, and many Web Pages.
Created
by
, UCLA College
Library @ 1997 Regents of the University of California.
Permission is granted for unlimited non-commercial use of this guide.
Reproduced by the CMSC with permission.
CMSC Online 
