Widener University / Wolfgram Memorial Library

Checklist for an Advocacy Web Page

How to Recognize an Advocacy Page

An Advocacy Web Page is one sponsored by an organization attempting to influence public opinion (that is, one trying to sell ideas). The URL Address of the page frequently ends in .org (organization).
Examples: National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, The National Right to Life Committee, the Democratic Party, the Republican Party

Questions to Ask About the Web Page

Note:The greater number of questions listed below answered "yes", the more likely the source is of high quality. The questions in Bold Type must be answered "yes" for the source to be of value in your research.

Criterion #1: AUTHORITY

  1. Is it clear what organization is sponsoring the page?
  2. Is there a link to a page describing the goals of the organization?
  3. Is there a way of verifying the legitimacy of this organization? That is, is there a phone number or postal address to contact for more information? (Simply an email address is not enough).
  4. Is there a statement that the content of the page has the official approval of the organization?
  5. Is it clear whether this is a page from the national or local chapter of the organization?
  6. Is there a statement giving the organization's name as copyright holder?

Criterion #2: ACCURACY

  1. Are the sources for any factual information clearly listed so they can be verified in another source? (If not, the page may still be useful to you as an example of the ideas of the organization, but it is not useful as a source of factual information).
  2. Is the information free of grammatical, spelling, and other typographical errors? (These kinds of errors not only indicate a lack of quality control, but can actually produce inaccuracies in information).

Criterion #3: OBJECTIVITY

  1. Are the organization's biases clearly stated?
  2. If there is any advertising on the page, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content?

Criterion #4: CURRENCY

  1. Are there dates on the page to indicate:
    1. When the page was written?
    2. When the page was first placed on the Web?
    3. When the page was last revised?
  2. Are there any other indications that the material is kept current?

Criterion #5: COVERAGE

  1. Is there an indication that the page has been completed, and is not still under construction?
  2. Is it clear what topics the page intends to address?
  3. Does the page succeed in addressing these topics, or has something significant been left out?
  4. Is the point of view of the organization presented in a clear manner with its arguments well supported?

Copyright Widener University 1996
Copyright Information: This checklist may be freely copied and distributed provided that 1) It is used for educational purposes only, and 2) Credit is given to Wolfgram Memorial Library, Widener University, Chester, PA.

Compiled by: J. Alexander & M. Tate: July 1996 Last Revised: 28 October 1996 Wolfgram Memorial Library,Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013 URL for this page: http://www.science.widener.edu/~withers/advoc.htm