Web+Resource+Selection+Guidelines

= Online Resource Selection/Creation Guidelines =

=
 1. There is a menu, site map or table of contents at the beginning that describes what content is contained within the source. =====
 * Provides organization or overview of content.
 * The components of menus and site maps includes active links that take the user directly to the selected section.

=
 2. No matter where I am in this website, I can return to the home page. =====
 * There is a persistent navigation button for returning to the Home Page, consistently located in the same place on every page within the website.

=
 3. The information in this source is current and up-to-date. =====
 * To the best of my knowledge the information is current and up-to-date

=
4. The information is accurate and unbiased, and provided by credible sources. =====
 * To the best of my knowledge the information is presented objectively, or the material acknowledges and presents two or more competing perspectives.
 * Authoritative sources are indicated in a reference list or bibliography, or in footnotes or endnotes.

=
5. Visual (e.g., videos, photographs) and audio information help to clarify or describe the topic of the source / material. =====
 * They are purposeful and additive, or provide alternative, duplicative sensory communication of essential information.

=
 6. This source provides valuable links or references to other useful sources outside of the website. =====
 * Links and references are provided to sources that provide more in depth information applicable to the present student assignment.
 * Related materials may be referenced or linked to as further reading or other materials of interest if clearly indicated for that purpose, and located separately or at the end of more relevant content.

=
 7. There is little or no unimportant information =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Information not germane to the purpose for selecting the material (which may include flashing, spinning or moving graphics, or advertisements) are avoided.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 8. The purpose of this source is always clear to the user. =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The source's title, subtitle or ‘About’ feature clearly indicate the content or purpose of the information.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 9. The source / material provides the appropriate amount of information on the topic for a lesson or assignment, and at an appropriate grade level for the student(s). =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Roughly equivalent to the volume of content on a page of grade appropriate print material.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The information is within one grade level, above or below that of the student(s).
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If the reading is not at an appropriate grade level, use High Interest / Low Reading Level materials, or consider creating a grade appropriate version by excerpting the most relevant information, paraphrasing the language with simpler language, and properly crediting the source.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 10. The text is well-written - using appropriate grammar and spelling - and avoids redundant information and other errors. =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Copy the text and paste it into a Spelling & Grammar checker
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Run the Spelling and Grammar checks
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If errors impair the usefulness of the source, consider excerpting the most relevant information, correcting the errors, paraphrasing where easy to do, quoting otherwise, and properly crediting the source. If clearly indicated for educational / instructional purposes the source can be ‘adapted’ without substantial paraphrasing or quoting.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 11. All links and tools are fully functioning and work the way they are intended. =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Test each hyperlink, button, navigation mechanism, and tool in websites and software applications.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12. This source / material makes it easy to search or query for information. =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Web sites include a tool for searching its content
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If the web page is designed with effective searching in mind, searches will return (1) clear titles of each page and headings within pages, (2) a descriptive summary the contents of each page (via a Meta Description tag), pages that include the most relevant key words used for searching (via Meta Keywords). Database searches should return source titles, abstracts, and basic citation information.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Websites that include free RSS feeds can provide an easy way to monitor changes, additions, and improvements to specific content of interest.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 13. The website meets basic Web Accessibility Standards. =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Graphics are crisp and clearly visible, and where appropriate include an ALT tag explaining the content.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The colors and/or background patterns used to convey information provide clear contrast and are pleasing.

=
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 14. The website has a help function that is easy to use. =====
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The help function provides frequently asked Q&As, trouble-shooting suggestions, and ways to contact the website developer or owner with additional questions.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The help function may also provide assistance creating an account or signing in, search tips, and index, glossary, and tutorials.

Cite as: Myhill, W.N. & Link, K. (2011). Online Resource Selection / Creation Guidelines. Project ENABLE, Funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (2010-13) (a dapted from Small and Arnone's ). Selection criteria apply to web sources, software, print materials, and other electronic materials (e.g., materials downloaded from a database).