Criteria for Evaluating Information on the Web: Objectivity

Use these criteria to assist you in evaluating the objectivity of Web based information and resources.

• What point of view is represented? Are there links to other views?
• Is the language free of emotional words and bias?
• Is it fact or opinion? Can you tell?
• What is the attitude of the page? Humorous? Parody? Exaggerated?

Where to Look

• Check the body of the document.
• Is there any advertising on the page? Does it have any relationship to the text? Is the advertising clearly differentiated from the informational content?
• Is the site sponsored by an organization? Is the organization's bias clearly stated?
  Look for links to sponsors, "about us," "philosophy," etc.