S.P.A.T. - Website Evaluation Tool

What is SPAT? A mnemonic cue to help consumers evaluate web pages.
What does SPAT stand for: Site, Pulisher, Audience, Timliness

Why SPAT?
SPAT tested pre and post tests
Ease of use
Paricipants learn importance of being skeptical
Memorable, functional, reliable, usable for all ages

S in Spat represents the word Site

The 'S' reminds you to look for the website's address. The website's address contains information that tells you who is providing the site's content. It also is vital for finding that information again.
How Do I Find That?

• Find the site's address.
• Find the type of content provider

 Why this Matters
Allows you to find the site again
Discern bias
Content provider
Motivation of content provider




Review Question
Question: What would be the motivation for bias in www.ritzcarlton.com vs. www.tripadvisor.com?

P in SPAT represents the word 'Publisher.

'P' reminds you to find who is publishing the content. If there is not a name taking responsibility for the content, then find another source of the information.
How Do I Find That?

•  Look for a publisher.
•  Look for contact information.

Why This Matters
Knowing the website helps you know if the website is right for you.
Review Question
Question: Is a web page with a publisher listed for contact better than a web page without a publisher?

A in SPAT represents the word 'Audience.'

The 'A' reminds you to seek out who the intended audience is for the site.

How Do I Find That?

• Look at the words on the page and see if you can explain all of them.
• If you can not, then find another web page.
• If you do understand the words then think about the next question you should ask.
• Decide who is the intended audience.

Why This Matters
Knowing the audience helps you decide:

• If the web page is right for you.
• If the web page is targeting a specific audience and if you are part of that audience.

  Review Question
Question: A web page with primarily colorful graphics depicting a child smoking is targeting what audience?

T in SPAT represents the word 'Timeliness.'

The 'T' reminds you to find the date the content was published. This tells you if you have old, new or questionable information.

How Do I Find That?

• Look for a publication date, last updated date, or date created.

Why This Matters

• Knowing the date information was published helps you decide if information is accurate for your needs.
• If you are writing a historical perspective on medicine, older information may work.
• If you need information on how to treat a disease you want the most current information.
• If no date is provided, there is no way to know when the information was published. This is not a 'good' web page.

Review Question:
Question:You found a page on US government law and want to use it for a report you are writing. You can not find a publication time period for the web page. Should you use the page as an information source?
Practice SPATing