Fairmont State Libraries

Is it clear who is responsible for the contents of the page?
Is there a link to a page describing the purpose of the sponsoring organization, agency, institution, or other entity?
Is there a way of verifying the legitimacy of the page's sponsor? That is, is there a phone number or postal address to contact for more information? (Simply an e-mail address is not enough)
Is it clear who wrote the material and are the author's qualifications for writing on the topic clearly stated?
If the material is protected by copyright, is the mane of the copyright holder given?

Are the sources for any factual information clearly listed so they can be verified in another source?
Is the information free of grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors? (These kinds of errors not only indicate a lack of quality control, but can actually produce inaccuracies in information.)
Is it clear who has the ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of the content of the material?
If there are charts and/or graphs containing statistical data, are the charts and/or graphs clearly labeled and easy to read?

Is the information provided as a public service? Not with a political agenda?
Is the information free of advertising?
If there is any advertising on the page, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content?
What is the author's point-of-view? When evaluating information found on the Internet, it is important to examine who providing the "information" you are viewing, and what might be their point-of-view or bias.

Steps for evaluating point-of-view are based on authorship or affiliation. First, note the URL of the document.
Does this document reside on the Web server of an organization that has a clear stake in the issue at hand?
1. If you are looking at a corporate web site, assume that the information on the corporation will present it in the most positive light.
2. If you are looking at products produces and sold by that corporation, remember: you are looking at an advertisement.
3. If you are reading about a political figure at the Web site of another political party, you are reading the opposition.
Does this document reside on the web server of an organization that has a political or philosophical agenda?
1. If you are looking for scientific information on human genetics, would you trust a political organization to provide it?
2. Never assume that extremist points-of-view are always easy to detect. Some sites promoting these views may look educational.

Are there dates on the page to indicate:
a. When the page was written?
b. When the page was first placed on the Web?
c. When the page was last revised?
Are there any other indications that the material is kept current?
If material is presented in graphs and/or chars, is it clearly stated when the data was gathered?
If the information is published in different editions, is it clearly labeled what edition the page is from?

Is there an indication that the page has been completed, and is not still under construction?
If there is a print equivalent to the Web page, is there a clear indication of whether the entire work is available on the Web or only parts of it?
Is there any other evidence of omissions?
Does it cover the subject adequately?