Presents the 5 W's criteria for determine reliability of a website.

2. Computer Technology Standard
 Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness,
comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information
sources

3. English Language Arts
Writing: Research to Build and Present Knowledge
 Gather relevant information from multiple print and
digital sources; assess the credibility of each source;
and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of
others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic
bibliographic information for sources.

4. Why evaluate a website?
 Anyone can create a website!
 How do you know the author
of the website is an expert?
 How to you know the
information is up to date?
 How do you know the
information is accurate and
what you need?

5. The 5 Ws of website evaluation
Who
What
When
Where
Why

6. Who:
 Who wrote the web pages?
 Are they an expert on this topic?
 How can I find out about the author?
 “about us” section
 Is there a way to contact the author?
 Email or telephone

7. What:
 What is the purpose of the site?
 Is there advertising on the site?
 Does the site reflect bias or opinion?
 What makes the site easy to navigate?

8. When:
 When was the site created?
 When was the site last updated?
 Are the links on the site up to date and working?
 Are there dead links?

9. Where:
 Where does the information come from?
 Check the URL (Web address)
 What is the domain?
 .gov – government site
 .edu – educational institution
 .org – non-profit sites, charities (but not always!)
 .com – commercial, business site
 .net – anyone can buy this kind of site

10. Why:
 Why is this information useful for my purpose?
 Why should I use this website instead of another?

11. Task
 Work with a partner to complete the evaluation
checklist on your assigned website.
 Decide if your assigned website is reliable or unreliable
– Yes or No
 Explain your decision:
 Is it a trustworthy and useful site?
 Would it be a good website to use for information and
research?

12. Putting the 5 Ws to work
 Remember the 5 Ws:
 Who wrote the web pages?
 What is the purpose of the website?
 When was the site created and updated?
 Where does the information on the site come from?
 Why is this information useful for my purpose?+

13. References
 Schrock, Kathy. The 5 Ws of website evaluation. The
Schrock Guide, 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.