Politics & International Relations Subject Guide

The 5Cs website evaluation provides a structured guide to evaluation, giving tips and suggesting key considerations. The 5Cs are the key areas that need to be addressed in a comprehensive evaluation: credibility, currency, content, construction and clarity.

Credibility

• Is it obvious where the information has come from, i.e. can you clearly identify the author or organisation involved in producing the information?
• Does the resource contain sufficient detail about the author.organisation?
• Are the author/editor/organisation and publisher well-established and reputable?
• Is the author acknowledged as an expert in the field?
• Is the information published in a quality source (a peer-reviewed journal or a credible personal/organisational website)?
• Look at the web address for clues. Is it ac.uk or .edu (educational), for example, or .com (commercial)?

Currency

• Is it clear when the resource was published?
• If the resource is a website, is it updated regularly?
• Does the date of publication meet your requirements?
• Is the information current or obsolete?
• Are there broken links?

Content

• Is the information accurate and free from errors? (Check spelling, grammar, calculations etc.)
• Is the information complete?
• Are there adverts for products? The aim of the website may be commercial, and the information biased towards these products
• Is there anything missing from the website, which you would expect to see?
• Does the website give a balnced view, or is it positively or negatively biased?

Construction

• Are the graphics and fonts appropriate for the level of information you require? As you would expect?
• Can you find information easily?
• Are there pop-ups, adverts, flashing lights and graphics, which distract you?
• What are your first impressions?
• Is the information well organised and easy to find?

Clarity

• Is the level of writing appropriate for the target group? Secondary school or University level?
• Who is the website aimed at? Professional group or the general public?
• Is the information accessible in different formats?

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