ESSAY

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.


Website Evaluation Outline Template 
    
Introductory section 
 
        
Statement of purpose of the paper 
Background information for the problem.
Demonstrate its usefulness in analyzing selected policy oriented websites.
Provide a brief rationale for need to assess quality of information on Internet. Cite sources.
Provide a brief overview of CRAAP. Cite handout and other relevant references. Assume a college level, uninformed audience.
Relate need to human services field. Why do practitioners need to be informed consumers of policy information? (Cite sources).
Provide brief explanation of how paper will be organized.                                         


Analysis Section (This section should be completed for each of the websites- four total)
        
Identify website by name, give url and mission statement.
Currency: explicitly identify and discuss how timely information on the website is by giving specific examples (see handout).
 
            
Give score with reason/justification.


Relevancy: explicitly identify and discuss how information on the website relates to the social policy issue you have chosen.          
            
Give score with reason/justification.


Accuracy: explicitly identify and discuss how accurate information is - give specific examples (see handout).          
            
Give score with reason/justification.


Authority: identify owner(s)/creator(s) of website by name. Note/identify credentials.
 
            
Give score with reason/justification.


Purpose: explicitly identify purpose - see mission statement; note affiliations; relate what is stated to what you find - give specific examples (see handout).
 
            
Give score with reason/justification.




Give overall impression of websites and its usefulness to a human services professional. Rank each website on the following:

Ease of use
Appearance
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.