Always make sure that internet resources are appropriate for your project. I give out this handout in class and students apply the SCRAP test when evaluating websites.
Website Evaluation Criteria
Try the SCRAP Test
S- Scope
· What is the depth of the site? Too elementary, too advanced?
· Does it provide comprehensive coverage or mere compilation of links?
· Is it relevant to your information needs?
C- Currency
· Is there a date when the site was created or last updated?
· Are the hyperlinks current?
· In the absence of a copyright or revision date, can you determine if the information is current?
R- Reliability
· Are the sources documented? Can you verify them?
· Are the research methods revealed or is the content primarily opinion based? Is it balanced information?
· Is the content coming from scholarly/peer-reviewed sources?
· Does it have an unbiased tone?
A-Authority
· Who is the author/publisher/sponsor?
· What are their credentials/qualifications?
· What are their organizational affiliations?
· Is there contact information?
P- Purpose/Point of View
· Why is the information being posted? Who is the target audience? Determine if the site is trying to inform, teach, entertain, advertise, persuade or sell.
· Is there any bias or do the points of view appear to be objective?
· Who is sponsoring the website?
o Consider domains (.com, .edu, .org, .gov, .biz, .net etc.)
o A tilde (~) in the Web address often indicates a personal Web page.