Web Site Evaluation Criteria (Stem Cell)

Student X

Prof X

Course

25 January 2008

Evaluating Web Sites Containing Information Concerning Stem Cell Research

In the 21st century the whole world is increasingly becoming interconnected than ever before . The planet is shrinking in terms of communication speed and access to information . It used to be that there are groups of people as well as individuals who monopolized ideas and knowledge - the rigid social structure in many parts of the world helps in blocking the flow of information . Yet since the coming of the Internet the

acquisition of knowledge has never been easier

The most important component of Information Technology is the Web site This concept has indeed revolutionized the way people communicate and share information . Without websites , surfing the web would be as dreary as reading pages from an ultra-technical material . But with websites the user is treated to a plethora of audio-visual delights that is a great help for those who had problem focusing long enough to get the necessary details

The following pages will discuss the perennial problems of website design and focusing on five websites this will use some general criteria used for judging website reliability and usability . The following web sites will be the main sites that will be evaluated

Stem Cells : The International Journal of Cell Differentiation and Proliferation

Stem Cells at the National Academies

Do No Harm : The Coalition of American Research Ethics

Stem Cell Information : The National Institutes of Health Resources for Stem Cell Research

Religious Tolerance .org

Criteria for Evaluation

In an interview with Jakob Nielsen , the web design guru on what could be the top problem when it comes to web sites , Nielsen said the following , The biggest mistake is really not getting to the point not telling people what they can do on the Web sites , what it is about (and smothering the information in hypertalk [ .] Get to the point - that 's the number one guideline for Web design (Stout , CNN .com

of the sites mentioned are guilty of this offense . The exception perhaps would be site 5 . Since this web site is careful not to offend anybody it ended up as having nothing definite to say and therefore beating around the bush . Aside from the criteria discussed above there are at least five more general criteria that can be used to evaluate the reliability , usability and overall value of a particular website . The criteria are listed as follows : a ) accuracy b ) authority c objectivity d ) audience and e ) purpose

Website 1

The first website listed above 1 ) is simply a go to place to find links that will connect to other resources in the World-Wide-Web . This means that this site is not only a repository but also some sort of internet traffic guide pointing the user to some of the more important information regarding stem cell research but it is more of an online library for current developments in stem cell research . Most of the resources are taken from journals and other...