How to search the web - Find and evaluate websites

In Consumer Health Information class with Ellen, I learned a quick and easy way to evaluate websites. It's even something that can be taught to patrons in a few seconds. It's called a SPAT Test, and this mnemonic tool for evaluating websites was created by Elizabeth LaRue, who graduated from Pitt's Nursing School and Library School (MLIS & PhD). Even though it was created to evaluate consumer health websites, I've found it useful outside that area too.

SPAT = Site, Publisher, Audience, Timeliness

Site = URL, .org, .gov, .edu, .com, .net

Publisher = Is there an author/publisher, Is there contact information

Audience = Who is the page for, Are the sentences simple and clear, Is there a bias in the text

Timeliness = Is the page dated, Is the page updated or outdated

The link below has tips from the library at Oakton Community College.

http://www.oakton.edu/library/more_about/eight_steps/step5_web/index.php

The DC text (page 84) also provides guidelines for evaluating the value of a website. Listed below are the evaluation criteria and the characteristics of a reliable website. Since any person, company, or organization can publish a Web page on the Internet, it can't be assumed that the information is reliable.

Affiliation - A reputable institution should support the Website without bias in the information.

Audience - The Website should be written at an appropriate level.

Authority - The Website should list the author and the appropriate credentials.

Content - The Website should be well organized and the links should work.

Currency - The information on the Web page should be current.

Design - The pages at the Website should download quickly and be easy to navigate and be visually pleasing.

Objectivity - The Website should contain little advertising and be free of preconceptions.