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Criteria for Evaluating Sites
Design Criteria
Design
How well designed is the site?
1 = Very poor design; links broken, bad scripts, simply doesn't work
2 = Poor design; not all of the site works or is accessible to all browsers/machines
3 = Acceptable design
4 = Good design
5 = Excellent design, works flawlessly
Plug-ins
Does this site require a plug-in?
1 = Yes, but the plug-in is unavailable for some browsers/machines
2 = Yes, but the plug-in is difficult to obtain and/or install
3 = Yes, but the user has to find and install the plug-in
4 = Yes, but the plug-in link is available at the site
5 = No plug-in needed or the plug-in is seamlessly integrated or installed
Validity
How likely is the site to be available for the duration of the class?
1 = Not likely to be around very long
2 = Site is consistently difficult to access (e.g., in another country, server often down)
3 = Site is sometimes difficult to access (e.g., server isn't always available or crashes)
4 = Site is likely on a reliable server and maintained by a reliable source
5 = Site is on a reliable server and maintained by a reliable source
Conciseness
How long does it take to obtain information from or complete activities at the site?
1 = Takes multiple sessions to complete the site
2 = Takes over an hour to complete the site
3 = Takes 30 min - 1 hour to complete the site
4 = Takes 10 - 30 min to complete the site
5 = Takes 10 minutes to complete the site
Pedagogical Criteria
Interactivity
Is this site interactive or does it simply display information?
1 = Text/graphics only
2 = Ability to choose progress through the site
3 = Multiple options for progressing through site
4 = Interactive exercise making use of user -> server interaction
5 = Fully interactive, including server-user interaction
Currency
How up-to-date is the topic?
1 = Old and outmoded
2 = Old fashioned but okay
3 = Tried and true information
4 = New enough that not everyone will know all about the topic
5 = Hot new topic or information
Appropriateness for Introductory Psychology
Is this topic really appropriate for use with introductory students?
1 = Not at all appropriate (pitch is either too high or too low)
2 = Not really appropriate
3 = Appropriate for introductory psychology - with explanation
4 = Appropriate for introductory psychology
5 = Perfectly appropriate for introductory psychology
Relevance
How relevant is this topic for an introductory psychology course?
1 = Not at all related to any topic taught in introductory psychology
2 = A bit of a stretch; far relation to some topic in introductory psychology
3 = Somehow related to some topic in introductory psychology
4 = Extends an aspect of a common topic in introductory psychology
5 = Perfect match with one or more topics taught in introductory psychology
Scientific Rigor
How scientific is the site?
1 = Totally non-credible site. Might be good as a "bad" example
2 = Minimally acceptable scientific rigor. A Psychology Today sort of site
3 = Acceptable scientific rigor
4 = Good scientific rigor, particularly considering the skills/knowledge of introductory students
5 = Excellent scientific rigor - all claims are backed up, tasks are scientifically appropriate