Learning Technology by Stephen Bostock
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Draft evaluation criteria for content-based web sites

Based on Tweddle, Avis, Wright & Waller, BJET July 1998, 29 (3) 267-270

  1. Purpose

    2. Articulation of the purpose of the site will inform its realisation and enable users to establish its relevance and appropriateness.

    1. Is there an obvious or stated purpose and an identified target audience?
    2. Does the site provide coverage of the subject that is aimed at the target audience and that is not already available on the Web?
    3. Does the site complement other resources available to the target audience?
    4. Is there a stated mode for reading the information (ie, on-line, off-line, as printout?)
    5. Are there clear guidelines for submitted materials or comments to the pages?
  2. Authority

    3. Pages should be authoritative and the process by which they are developed appropriate and explicit.

    1. Is it clear who authored the different pages?
    2. Are authors' credentials provided and are they appropriate?
    3. Are the materials peer and/or expert reviewed?
    4. Are the processes for development of the site and its material made explicit?
    5. Are issues of copyright and intellectual property clear?
    6. Are disclaimers and cautions provided?
    7. Where advertising or sponsorship is a source of funding is this clearly stated, the terms of funding made clear and advertising material differentiated from the substantive content of the site?
  3. Content

    4. The pages or discussions should remain current and worth revisiting regularly.

    1. Is the extent of the content coverage and links sufficient to the purpose?
    2. Is it clearly signalled which pages or discussions are under development?
    3. Is the information dated and current?
    4. Are the content and links accurate?
    5. Is evidence cited and source data referenced where appropriate?
    6. Where links are made, are they accompanied by statements about the nature of the sources and content?


     

  4. Design

    5. The site should have a tone that is appropriate to the purpose, audience and subject matter. The medium should be used to enhance communication and the design should allow users to find and read the information they want and to navigate easily.

    1. Is there a logical and consistent structuring of the subject matter?
    2. Are graphics, sound, animation and colour used appropriately to convey the tone and meet the purpose of the site?
    3. Do pages have appropriate internal linkages to aid navigation?
    4. Does the text stand alone when graphics are turned off?
    5. Are appropriate orientation mechanisms used eg, colours, page names, symbols, icons?
    6. Are all the required facilities included to meet the purpose of the site, eg is there a comments form where feedback is needed?
    7. Is there consistency of design and are external links dealt with appropriately to protect this?
    8. Does the design accommodate requirements for accessibility by people who have visual or hearing disabilities?
  5. Readability

    6. The language and organisation of text on the site should be appropriate for the target audience and purpose. Words, sounds and images should be combined in a way that best conveys meaning, sustains interest and aids the anticipated mode for reading information.

    1. Are language and images clear and comprehensive?
    2. Do style and presentation convey the author's perspective and purposes?
    3. Are the pages and appropriate length for readability and comprehension?
    4. Are introductions, titles and subtitles used to structure and signal the flow of ideas?
    5. When used, are technical words explained or is a glossary easily accessible?
    6. Are images and/or sound used appropriately alongside and/or in place of words to convey meaning.
    7. Is the font size appropriate for the anticipated mode of reading? Are colours used for readability?
    8. Does the screen use sufficient white space and appear uncluttered?
    9. Do supporting features enhance the text without distracting the reader's eye, eg glossaries, references, links, labelling?

 

  1. Implementation

    2. The site should be easy to use and implemented in such a way that it is appropriate for users with varying technological capability in terms of skills and hardware/software.

    1. Does the site work with the lowest specification of computer and/or Web browser?
    2. Is help offered for the technically inexperienced user?
    3. Is the site's performance consistent from hour to hour, day to day regardless of usage?
    4. Is the site error free?
    5. Is the downloading time of all files reasonable?
    6. Are the results of searches useful and manageable in quality?
    7. Is the site compatible with accessibility aids, eg screen readers, switches?
  1. Evaluation

    2. The adaptive nature of the medium should be exploited: monitoring and evaluation of usage should inform the ongoing development of the site.

    1. Is it clear how usage of the site is being monitored and evaluated and are the mechanisms appropriate?
    2. Is it clear to users how they can contribute to evaluation of the site?
    3. Are results of evaluation published on the site?
    4. Do evaluation results show that the purposes have been met?
    5. Is there evidence that the site has developed as a result of evaluation?
  2. Conclusion
    1. Is the site appropriate for the target audience and purpose?
    2. What recommendations for improvements to the site can be made?

 

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 Last edited: November 22, 2006