Evaluating Web pages for relevance

General evaluation criteria

Most Web sites are not designed with the student researcher in mind. Companies design Web sites to advertise products to the browsing public at large; special interest groups create sites for select audiences, for those who share their views; and scholars may publish research on the Web for professional academic audiences. To understand how the information contained in Web sites like these will fit into the framework of a research project, or if indeed any of it is appropriate, consider the authors' purpose and audience.

Purpose

• Is the site supposed to be educational or entertaining?
• Is this site meant to be informational or promotional?

Audience

• What does the author assume the user already knows about the topic of the site?
• Based on your answer to the last question, should this site be of greatest interest to the general user, the enthusiast, or the professional?

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