Evaluating public web site information: a process and an instrument

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the attempt to find an evaluation instrument for undergraduate students to use to evaluate public web sites, the analysis of the variety of instruments discovered, the subsequent development of an appropriate instrument, and the application of the instrument in workshops with students.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument was created based on the following criteria that the authors determined would meet the students' needs. It focuses exclusively on the information aspect of a web site, has some basis in theory or is based on an accepted model, is parsimonious, is quantitative, with both absolute and relative measures, and indicates whether or not the information should be accepted or rejected. The instrument was also developed with the goal of focusing on the process rather than the outcome.

Findings

Although a number of diverse evaluation instruments from the literature and from web‐based sources were examined, none was deemed suitable for students to use so the authors developed their own.

Originality/value

The authors concurred that, based on their assessment of the learning environment, the focus of an instrument should be on evaluation as a process.

Citation

Judd, V.C., Farrow, L.I. and Tims, B.J. (2006), "Evaluating public web site information: a process and an instrument", Reference Services Review, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 12-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320510631571