Evaluation of Internet Resources

Used in Teaching and Research

   Ad Hoc Group for Internet Standards
American Society for Theatre Research

Criteria for the Review of Websites

Members of the ASTR  Ad Hoc Group have developed the criteria below based upon documentation provided by the library journal Choice under “Current Reviews for Academic Libraries” (http://www.ala.org/acrl/choice/webguide.html) and University of North Carolina’s “Evaluating Web Sites for Educational Uses: Bibliography and Checklist” (http://www.unc.edu/cit/guides/irg-49.html). 

Length and Submission of Review:

·        Reviews should be at least 300 words, but not more than 1000 words.

·        Review must list website URL.

·        Style should be commensurate to a book review for a journal.

·        Scope should conform to criteria succinctly.

·        Critical evaluation should compare with other similar works in the field, including citations of specific titles.

·        Author's academic affiliation, subject knowledge, previous publication(s), and approach or point of view.

·        Readership level must be stated in the review. Distinctions among undergraduate levels—from beginners to senior undergraduates—are helpful. No readership levels need be checked for sites regarded as inferior.

·        Reviews should be submitted to Patrick M. Finelli, Ph.D. at the University of South Florida.  You may send your review as an attached document or as a URL link to its location on your own website.

Content Questions:

·        Who is the author/source?

·        What is the author's area of expertise?

·        What is the author’s reputation and qualifications in the subject covered?

·        What does the site contain?

·        How is the site organized?

·        What is the relative proportion of content/hyperlinks?

·        What is the quality of the information?

·        How current is the information?

·        Is the information well-written?

·        Is the information on the site accurate?

·        Is the information presented in an objective, balanced manner?

·        Is the material on the site covered comprehensively, selectively, or adequately?

·        Are sources cited?

·        How does the site compare with similar Web sites on the same topic?

·        Does the site have print or other electronic counterparts such as CD-ROM or DVD?

·        What are the teaching and/or research needs served by the site?

·        Does the site contribute something unique on the subject?

·        Who are the most likely academic users?

·        Is the site appropriate for the intended audience?

  Technical Questions:

·        How do you navigate the site?

·        Is it easy to navigate and locate information on the site?

·        How fast do the pages load?

·        Do all of the links work?

·        Do the external links add value to the site?

·        What is the relative proportion of internal/external hyperlinks?

·        Does the site contain images, audio or video?

·        Does graphics, audio or video add value to the site?

·        How stable is the connection to the site?

·        Does the site use frames?

·        How well is the site maintained?

·        When was the site last updated?

·        Does the site require additional software or hardware?

·        Does the site have search capabilities?

·        Does the site have any unique print/download options

·        Are there any special features that distinguish the site ( e.g., good selection of links to other sites, graphics, unique directories, endorsements) 

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