Evaluating Web Sites by Type

By Erin Herberg

Evaluating Webspaces

Webspaces, or websites, can be troublesome when it comes to evaluation since they cover such a broad spectrum of content and purpose.

A critical rhetorical approach applies to all information and using that approach for websites is especially useful—particularly when purpose drives that approach.

Using this approach to separate the vehicle of delivery (a website) from the purpose of the website leads to a clearer evaluations of the quality of information we encounter on stand-alone websites.

Prepared by Dr. Erin Herberg, updated Spring 2013

Defining WebSitesby rhetorical purpose

If we think about purpose, we can begin to categorize websites for analysis. The list below is a place to start.

• Business Sites• News Sites (also digital journals, magazines, newspapers)

• Advocacy Sites• Entertainment Sites (also digital journals, magazines,

newspapers)

• Informational Sites (also digital journals, magazines, newspapers)

• Personal (very often blogs, and Facebook but not all)

What to Look for on Every Webiste

• Last updated date

• An About Link (website responsibility)

• Contact information (with real names a physical address)

• Functioning Links

• Competent Design

First a qualification

Very often a website combines multiple purposes, but what you want to identify is the overall driving purpose of the website. For example, the Philadelphia Inquirer provides information about area events, weather, etc.; it offers editorial opinions (advocacy); it encourages readers by subscriptions; and it provides entertainment through comics, horoscopes, and puzzles. Still, it is primarily a newspaper.

Sometimes a site might seem to defy categorization: Such an example might be YouTube—which is a social media sharing site. This site is defined by the genre of it’s material—videos, that can be about almost anything and can be pure entertainment as well as information.

It important not to confuse the vehicle with the message—which often happens to blogs. Blogs are a type of website, but every blog is an individual webspace/website.

Aspects of a News SiteThe primary purpose of a news Publication is to provide current information on current events.

Many news Publications are available online, and these can be online versions of print publications (New York Times, CNN, or The Economist), be online only, or represent a multimedia source (NPR). News sources can also be devoted to a single topic (ESPN).

Articles from news Publications might also provide popular interest information—content about entertainment, lifestyles, and the like. Editorials and Opinion Columns are historically a part news Publications. And Blogs written by the publications. Recently Blogs, written by journalists and columnist are a common News Publication feature.

However, not all publications, particularly websites, that provide news articles are News Publications. For example, Yahoo, provides many news articles, but many of these are from other actual News Publications. News is not Yahoo’s primary function. So, many sites provide articles which are links to an original publication or are from a news service. And these are not News Publications in the formal sense.

Aspects of News Sources

Aspects to keep in mind about News Sites

• News articles are often written by generalists

• They provide little insight or interpretation of the situation based on historical or social context

• Depending on the newspaper, article topics they are/can be driven by popular interest

• Sources and experts quoted or interviewed are chosen by their accessibility

• Quality of the texts is closely associated with the news institution

Evaluating News Sites

Here are questions to consider to evaluate a news site for usefulness and credibility:

• What is the reputation of the newspaper, journal, magazine?• What is the nature/perspective of the editorial content?• What is the quality/tone of visual material?• Is the page updated regularly?• Is the website a mirror of the print version? • Is there a clear delineation between reportorial and editorial material?• How much advertising is on the site and how appropriate is it?• Is the information about the editorial board?• Can you contact the newspaper/publication?

Bias of News Articles

The inherent bias in a news article resides in a journalist’s or editor’s decision of what information/perspective to emphasize, include or omit, the sources interviewed or quoted, emotive/connotative language, or the visual representation of the information.

However, the bias of a news article itself is also affected by the bias of the news publication.

• A publication’s bias can be best determined by it’s editorial content.

It is important to distinguish between news articles, editorials, opinion columns, and journalistic blogs.

Also remember, that BIAS may and may not undermine credibility.

Advocacy Sites

The primary purpose of an advocacy site is to influence public/personal opinion. Very often it will have a “.org” addresses—which indicates it is not for profit. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions you may be looking at an advocacy site:

• Does the site attempt to influence people’s opinion on something?

• Does it attempt to influence the legislative process?

• Does it encourage money contribution for the cause?

• Does it try to influence votes?

• Does it promote a cause or a point of view?

• Does it attempt to increase membership in an organization?

• Is it non-profit?

• Some examples: ACLU and The March of Dimes

Aspects of Advocacy Sites

• Because advocacy sites have a particular persuasive purpose, does not mean they are not credible sources (although not all are). The problem is they often only present one-side of the issue.

• Which means they can be a very good sources for identifying specific arguments, counter-arguments and stakeholders and their perspectives.

• The credibility of advocacy sites is very closely linked to the accuracy of their information and how they support their claims.

Evaluating Advocacy Sites

Here are questions to consider to evaluate a advocacy site for usefulness and credibility REMEMBER, just because a site is an advocacy site doesn’t mean it isn’t credible.

• What type of information is provided?• What type of appeals are used?• How inflammatory or emotional is the language?• Who is the organization and who are the contributors to the site?• What is their expertise or background?• Who supports (with money) or endorses the site?• Who are they trying to influence?• What are they trying to achieve?• Does the site clearly and honestly state its purpose?• What type of links are on the site?• Is there contact information?

Business Sites

The primary purpose of a business site is to promote or selling a product or service (and sometimes this is done by promoting the company itself). If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be looking at a business site:

• Does it promote a product or service?

• Does it provide customer support?

• Is there a catalogue or list of services and products available?

• Can you purchase products or services on the site?

• Are you requested to provide personal information about age, income, address, etc?

• Sample: Scotts

Evaluating Business Sites

Here are questions to ask about Business Sites.

• What or who is the site promoting?• How are they promoting it?• What type of appeals are used?• Who is the audience?• Does the site provide useful information?• What is the nature of the business?• What are current issues affecting this type of business?• What endorsements/recommendations does the company/site have?• Who owns and is associated with the site?• Is there contact information?• Is the site periodically updated?

Information Sites

Informational sites generally provides “factual” information. The difference between an informational site and a news site is that the information may not be updated regularly or limited to current events. Most “.gov” sites are informational sites. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you may be looking at a informational site.

• Does the site provide factual information about a topic?

• Does it provide statistical information or the results of research?

• Does it provide a calendar of events or some other type of schedule?

• Does it provide instructions or help in how to do something?

• Does it provide information in order to help an audience make decisions?

• Does it avoid promoting a product/person/service associated with the information?

Aspects of Information Sites

• It is important to remember the presenting information is a form of persuasion—one-sidedness is a important concern here.

• The qualifications of the creators of the information is an important consideration here—as is the verifiability of the information.

• Example: The CDC

Evaluating Informational Sites

Here are questions to ask to evaluating Information Sites for usefulness and credibility:

• Does the address end in “.com”—and are you sure it is not selling anything?• Where is the information provided coming from and how valid are those

sources?• Is enough information provided to double check sources?• Is there a balanced presentation of information?• Does the provider have the appropriate background to be providing the

information?• Is the tone appropriate for the topic maintained in the site?• Is the information relevant?• Who supports the site? What is their credibility? Do they have a known bias?

Entertainment Sites

The purpose of an entertainment is as the name implies—it is intended to provide enjoyment to its users. The page might entertain through humor, games, music, or drama. The site might also provide material on issues related to entertainment. The site might be mostly text or pictures. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions you might be looking at a entertainment site:

• Does the site include games or other activities without requiring, expecting, or requesting a purchase? (if it requires a purchase, it could be a business site)

• Does the site include music, animation or video?

• Some examples Games.com and Hulu

Evaluating Entertainment Sites

Evaluating entertainment sites for usefulness and credibility:

• Is the entertainment value of the page tied to a product or service that is for sale?

• Is the entertainment provided as a educational or teaching tool?• Is the connection between the entertainment and teaching/persuasion ethical

and responsible?• Is the entertainment provided have socially redeeming value?• Is it clear who is providing the entertainment and why?• Is the user required to submit personal information or data to engage in the

entertainment activities?

Personal Sites

A personal website is one that belongs to an individual and has no company or organizational affiliation or support. Personal sites are very diverse, but often deal with personal interests of the creator. Many blogs could be considered personal sites (depending on the content). The audience for such sites is often a small or limited one, but may not always be. Some personal sites may also be professional in nature. If any of the answers to the following questions is yes, you may be looking at a personal site:

• Is site and information on it seem to be created by an individual?

• Is the site focused on personal information, such as hobbies, pasttimes, families, hobbies, daily activities?

• Is an individual’s name part of the URL?

Evaluating Personal Sites

Here are some questions for evaluating personal sites for usefulness and credibility:

• What is the purpose of the site?

• Who is the intended audience?

• What is the credibility, credentials, or knowledge base of the author?

• How can you verify the information is credible and reliable?

• To what degree is it opinion or conjecture?

• Does the information have any usefulness beyond the author

• How might this information be used? What are it’s limitations?

• What type of ethos does the site create for the author and vice versa.