Outline Assignments | Online Homework Help

Directions: Use the template below to create an outline of your upcoming Website Evaluation paper.  The assignment should analyze four websites that focus on a policy issue of relevance to HUS service workers (e.g., mental health, education, poverty, drugs, etc.). For example, a social problem could be a  education and the weebsites to evaluate could be the Department of Children and Families, Department of Education, Duval County Public Schools, or the individual school website. You will make an outline listing A) a summary of your social problem, B) an analysis of each of the websites, and C) give your personal evaluation of the websites. There is a CRAAP method document attached to this assignment. Each numeral or letter below should be included in your submission and should be answered in short answer, with section B completed for all four websites.

1. Website Evaluation Outline Template
   1. Introductory section
      1. Statement of purpose of the paper
      2. Background information for the problem.
      3. Demonstrate its usefulness in analyzing selected policy oriented websites.
      4. Provide a brief rationale for need to assess quality of information on Internet. Cite sources.
      5. Provide a brief overview of CRAAP. Cite handout and other relevant references. Assume a college level, uninformed audience.
      6. Relate need to human services field. Why do practitioners need to be informed consumers of policy information? (Cite sources).
      7. Provide brief explanation of how paper will be organized.
   2. Analysis Section (This section should be completed for each of the websites- four total)
      1. Identify website by name, give url and mission statement.
      2. Currency: explicitly identify and discuss how timely information on the website is by giving specific examples (see handout).

1. 1. 1. 1. Give score with reason/justification.
      2. Relevancy: explicitly identify and discuss how information on the website relates to the social policy issue you have chosen.
         1. Give score with reason/justification.
      3. Accuracy: explicitly identify and discuss how accurate information is – give specific examples (see handout).
         1. Give score with reason/justification.
      4. Authority: identify owner(s)/creator(s) of website by name. Note/identify credentials.
         1. Give score with reason/justification.
      5. Purpose: explicitly identify purpose – see mission statement; note affiliations; relate what is stated to what you find – give specific examples (see handout).
         1. Give score with reason/justification.
   2. Give overall impression of websites and its usefulness to a human services professional. Rank each website on the following:
      1. Ease of use
      2. Appearance
      3. Usefulness to policy student – provide specific/concrete example.

Submission: Submit your outline by choosing the link titled Evaluating Policy Websites Research Paper Outline above. Use the “Browse My Computer” button in the Attach File area to attach your document. Be sure to complete your submission by choosing the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen.

Grading: This assignment is worth 100 points toward your final grade and is graded using the Assignment Outline rubric. Please use it as a guide toward successful completion of this assignment.

When you search for information, you’re going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have
to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help
you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your
situation or need.
Evaluation Criteria
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
 When was the information published or posted?
 Has the information been revised or updated?
 Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
Are the links functional?
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
 Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
 Who is the intended audience?
 Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
 Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
 Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
Authority: The source of the information.
 Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
 What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
 Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
 Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.
 Where does the information come from?
 Is the information supported by evidence?
 Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
 Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
 Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
 Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
Purpose: The reason the information exists.
 What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
 Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
 Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
 Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
 Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
9/17/10
Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP Test
Meriam Library California State University, Chico
Key:  indicates criteria is for Web 