How do we know whether a website is any good? After all, anyone can publish material on the internet. Some websites are biased, inaccurate, misleading or out-of-date.
C.A.R.S Website Evaluation Prezi gives you an idea of what to look for when evaluating a website.
prezi.com, (2015). C.A.R.S Website Evaluation. [online] Available at:https://prezi.com/wsuezt-h6-e0/cars-website-evaluation/ [Accessed 15 Mar, 2015.]
Credible = Is it credible? Is the author or organisation’s name listed? Are there spelling mistakes or grammatical errors?
Accurate = Is information accurate when compared to another source? is it useful? What is the date of publication? Has the site been recently updated?
Reasonable = Does the author have a bias or strong opinion? Is the information easy to read and understand?
Support = Are the sources listed? Can you contact the author or organisation?
The Youtube video, produced by Portland State University, demonstrates how to use the C.R.A.P. [Currency, Reliability, Authority, and Purpose or Point of View] criteria to evaluate websites on the topic of performance enhancing drugs in sport.
Youtube, (2015). The C.R.A.P. Test in Action: Websites. [online] Available at: https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhwB4zQD4XA [Accessed 15 Mar. 2015].
Currency = Is the information recent enough for your topic?
Reliability/Relevance = Where does the information come from and does it apply to your topic?
Authority = Who is the author/creator of the site? What is their reputation or expertise?
Purpose/Point of View = Is the information intended to inform? Persuade? Sell? Is there a bias?
Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything offers website evaluation checklists and surveys appropriate for different age groups.