JILT 2000 (1) - Robinson - Appendix B
Creating a Safety Net - A Proposed Rating Form for Assessing the Quality of Legal Information in Websites
Alan Robinson
Legit, Australia
legit@shoal.net.au
Appendix B - Pilot use of Legal Information Rating Form
Online Legal Information Rating Form - Lawstuff |
|||
Criterion |
How to implement this criteria |
Mark |
Comment |
Accuracy |
Does the information appear to be accurate? |
1 |
|
Are there links to relevant legislation and case reports? |
0 |
||
Is the original source stated? |
0 |
||
Does the disclaimer describe limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of information (0-5)? |
4 |
||
Is it made clear that the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice? |
1 |
||
Are any omissions noted? |
0 |
6 |
|
Source |
How credible is the source? (see scale below) |
4 |
|
Is the name of the author listed? |
0 |
||
Are his/her credentials listed? |
0 |
||
How well do the credentials match the text? (5 = perfect match, 0 = unrelated) |
5 |
||
Is the content provided in the public's interest? |
1 |
||
Is any possible conflict of interest noted? |
0 |
||
Does the information appear to be balanced? |
1 |
||
Does the source appear to be unbiased? |
1 |
||
Is the site not selling a product? |
1 |
||
Is the site's purpose disclosed? |
1 |
||
Is no user information captured (apart from feedback)? |
1 |
||
Is privacy of personal information assured? |
1 |
||
Is there an editorial review process? |
0 |
||
Is the editorial review process explained? |
0 |
16 |
|
Currency |
Is there a date stamp at the bottom of each page? |
1 |
|
How current is the material? (5 = < one month, 0 = > two years old) |
3 |
4 |
|
Usability |
How useful is the information? (0-5) |
5 |
|
Are hyperlinks useful? |
0 |
||
Are hyper links properly identified, structured and authenticated? (0-3) |
0 |
||
Is there a description of linked sites? |
0 |
||
Is a graphical browser not required? |
0 |
Overuse of graphics |
|
Are plugins not required? |
0 |
||
Which browser version is required (v2=3, v3=2, v4=1)? |
2 |
||
Is the site logically organised? |
1 |
||
Generic search engine = 2, Javascript engine = 1 |
0 |
||
Quality of search responses (0-2) |
0 |
||
Feedback mechanism - email = 1, form = 2 |
2 |
Feedback by email & form |
|
Is there a chat room? |
0 |
||
If so, is a moderator present? |
0 |
||
Is any information-tailoring algorithm disclosed? |
0 |
||
Are users alerted when they move to an external site? |
0 |
10 |
|
Total=36 |
Online Legal Information Rating Form - F.C.A. |
|||
Criterion |
How to implement this criteria |
Mark |
Comment |
Accuracy |
Does the information appear to be accurate? |
1 |
|
Are there links to relevant legislation and case reports? |
2 |
||
Is the original source stated? |
1 |
||
Does the disclaimer describe limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of information (0-5)? |
3 |
||
Is it made clear that the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice? |
1 |
||
Are any omissions noted? |
0 |
8 |
|
Source |
How credible is the source? (see scale below) |
4 |
|
Is the name of the author listed? |
0 |
||
Are his/her credentials listed? |
0 |
||
How well do the credentials match the text? (5 = perfect match, 0 = unrelated) |
5 |
||
Is the content provided in the public's interest? |
1 |
||
Is any possible conflict of interest noted? |
0 |
||
Does the information appear to be balanced? |
1 |
||
Does the source appear to be unbiased? |
1 |
||
Is the site not selling a product? |
0 |
||
Is the site's purpose disclosed? |
1 |
||
Is no user information captured (apart from feedback)? |
1 |
||
Is privacy of personal information assured? |
1 |
||
Is there an editorial review process? |
0 |
||
Is the editorial review process explained? |
0 |
15 |
|
Currency |
Is there a date stamp at the bottom of each page? |
1 |
|
How current is the material? (5 = < one month, 0 = > two years old) |
4 |
5 |
|
Usability |
How useful is the information? (0-5) |
5 |
|
Are hyperlinks useful? |
1 |
||
Are hyper links properly identified, structured and authenticated? (0-3) |
3 |
||
Is there a description of linked sites? |
1 |
||
Is a graphical browser not required? |
1 |
||
Are plugins not required? |
0 |
||
Which browser version is required (v2=3, v3=2, v4=1)? |
2 |
||
Is the site logically organised? |
1 |
||
Generic search engine = 2, Javascript engine = 1 |
0 |
||
Quality of search responses (0-2) |
0 |
||
Feedback mechanism - email = 1, form = 2 |
1 |
||
Is there a chat room? |
0 |
||
If so, is a moderator present? |
0 |
||
Is any information-tailoring algorithm disclosed? |
0 |
||
Are users alerted when they move to an external site? |
1 |
16 |
|
Total=44 |
Online Legal Information Rating Form - L.A.C. |
|||
Criterion |
How to implement this criteria |
Mark |
Comment |
Accuracy |
Does the information appear to be accurate? |
1 |
|
Are there links to relevant legislation and case reports? |
0 |
||
Is the original source stated? |
0 |
||
Does the disclaimer describe limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of information (0-5)? |
2 |
||
Is it made clear that the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice? |
1 |
||
Are any omissions noted? |
0 |
4 |
|
Source |
How credible is the source? (see scale below) |
4 |
|
Is the name of the author listed? |
0 |
||
Are his/her credentials listed? |
0 |
||
How well do the credentials match the text? (5 = perfect match, 0 = unrelated) |
5 |
||
Is the content provided in the public's interest? |
1 |
||
Is any possible conflict of interest noted? |
0 |
||
Does the information appear to be balanced? |
1 |
||
Does the source appear to be unbiased? |
1 |
||
Is the site not selling a product? |
1 |
||
Is the site's purpose disclosed? |
1 |
||
Is no user information captured (apart from feedback)? |
1 |
||
Is privacy of personal information assured? |
1 |
||
Is there an editorial review process? |
0 |
||
Is the editorial review process explained? |
0 |
16 |
|
Currency |
Is there a date stamp at the bottom of each page? |
1 |
|
How current is the material? (5 = < one month, 0 = > two years old) |
4 |
5 |
|
Usability |
How useful is the information? (0-5) |
4 |
|
Are hyperlinks useful? |
1 |
||
Are hyper links properly identified, structured and authenticated? (0-3) |
2 |
||
Is there a description of linked sites? |
1 |
||
Is a graphical browser not required? |
1 |
||
Are plugins not required? |
1 |
||
Which browser version is required (v2=3, v3=2, v4=1)? |
3 |
||
Is the site logically organised? |
1 |
||
Generic search engine = 2, Javascript engine = 1 |
2 |
||
Quality of search responses (0-2) |
1 |
||
Feedback mechanism - email = 1, form = 2 |
1 |
||
Is there a chat room? |
0 |
||
If so, is a moderator present? |
0 |
||
Is any information-tailoring algorithm disclosed? |
0 |
||
Are users alerted when they move to an external site? |
1 |
19 |
|
Total=44 |
Online Legal Information Rating Form - Law4U |
|||
Criterion |
How to implement this criteria |
Mark |
Comment |
Accuracy |
Does the information appear to be accurate? |
1 |
|
Are there links to relevant legislation and case reports? |
1 |
||
Is the original source stated? |
0 |
||
Does the disclaimer describe limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of information (0-5)? |
3 |
||
Is it made clear that the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice? |
1 |
||
Are any omissions noted? |
0 |
6 |
|
Source |
How credible is the source? (see scale below) |
2 |
Two ex-legal aid solicitors |
Is the name of the author listed? |
0 |
||
Are his/her credentials listed? |
0 |
||
How well do the credentials match the text? (5 = perfect match, 0 = unrelated) |
2 |
||
Is the content provided in the public's interest? |
1 |
||
Is any possible conflict of interest noted? |
0 |
||
Does the information appear to be balanced? |
1 |
||
Does the source appear to be unbiased? |
1 |
||
Is the site not selling a product? |
0 |
Selling links to private law firms |
|
Is the site's purpose disclosed? |
0 |
||
Is no user information captured (apart from feedback)? |
0 |
Uses cookies |
|
Is privacy of personal information assured? |
0 |
||
Is there an editorial review process? |
1 |
Outside lawyers used to check info |
|
Is the editorial review process explained? |
0 |
8 |
|
Currency |
Is there a date stamp at the bottom of each page? |
1 |
|
How current is the material? (5 = < one month, 0 = > two years old) |
4 |
5 |
|
Usability |
How useful is the information? (0-5) |
5 |
|
Are hyperlinks useful? |
1 |
||
Are hyper links properly identified, structured and authenticated? (0-3) |
1 |
||
Is there a description of linked sites? |
1 |
||
Is a graphical browser not required? |
1 |
||
Are plugins not required? |
0 |
||
Which browser version is required (v2=3, v3=2, v4=1)? |
3 |
||
Is the site logically organised? |
1 |
||
Generic search engine = 2, Javascript engine = 1 |
0 |
||
Quality of search responses (0-2) |
0 |
||
Feedback mechanism - email = 1, form = 2 |
1 |
||
Is there a chat room? |
0 |
||
If so, is a moderator present? |
0 |
||
Is any information-tailoring algorithm disclosed? |
0 |
14 |
|
Are users alerted when they move to an external site? |
0 |
No alert given |
|
Total=33 |
Online Legal Information Rating Form - LawSoc |
|||
Criterion |
How to implement this criteria |
Mark |
Comment |
Accuracy |
Does the information appear to be accurate? |
1 |
|
Are there links to relevant legislation and case reports? |
1 |
||
Is the original source stated? |
1 |
||
Does the disclaimer describe limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of information (0-5)? |
5 |
||
Is it made clear that the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice? |
1 |
||
Are any omissions noted? |
0 |
9 |
|
Source |
How credible is the source? (see scale below) |
4 |
|
Is the name of the author listed? |
1 |
||
Are his/her credentials listed? |
1 |
||
How well do the credentials match the text? (5 = perfect match, 0 = unrelated) |
5 |
||
Is the content provided in the public's interest? |
1 |
||
Is any possible conflict of interest noted? |
0 |
||
Does the information appear to be balanced? |
1 |
||
Does the source appear to be unbiased? |
1 |
||
Is the site not selling a product? |
0 |
||
Is the site's purpose disclosed? |
1 |
||
Is no user information captured (apart from feedback)? |
1 |
||
Is privacy of personal information assured? |
1 |
||
Is there an editorial review process? |
0 |
||
Is the editorial review process explained? |
0 |
17 |
|
Currency |
Is there a date stamp at the bottom of each page? |
1 |
|
How current is the material? (5 = < one month, 0 = > two years old) |
4 |
5 |
|
Usability |
How useful is the information? (0-5) |
5 |
|
Are hyperlinks useful? |
1 |
||
Are hyper links properly identified, structured and authenticated? (0-3) |
2 |
||
Is there a description of linked sites? |
1 |
||
Is a graphical browser not required? |
0 |
||
Are plugins not required? |
1 |
||
Which browser version is required (v2=3, v3=2, v4=1)? |
2 |
||
Is the site logically organised? |
1 |
||
Generic search engine = 2, Javascript engine = 1 |
1 |
||
Quality of search responses (0-2) |
2 |
||
Feedback mechanism - email = 1, form = 2 |
1 |
||
Is there a chat room? |
0 |
||
If so, is a moderator present? |
0 |
||
Is any information-tailoring algorithm disclosed? |
0 |
||
Are users alerted when they move to an external site? |
1 |
18 |
|
Total=49 |
Online Legal Information Rating Form - RLC |
|||
Criterion |
How to implement this criteria |
Mark |
Comment |
Accuracy |
Does the information appear to be accurate? |
1 |
|
Are there links to relevant legislation and case reports? |
1 |
||
Is the original source stated? |
0 |
||
Does the disclaimer describe limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of information (0-5)? |
4 |
||
Is it made clear that the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice? |
1 |
||
Are any omissions noted? |
0 |
7 |
|
Source |
How credible is the source? (see scale below) |
4 |
|
Is the name of the author listed? |
0 |
||
Are his/her credentials listed? |
0 |
||
How well do the credentials match the text? (5 = perfect match, 0 = unrelated) |
5 |
||
Is the content provided in the public's interest? |
1 |
||
Is any possible conflict of interest noted? |
0 |
||
Does the information appear to be balanced? |
1 |
||
Does the source appear to be unbiased? |
0 |
||
Is the site not selling a product? |
1 |
||
Is the site's purpose disclosed? |
1 |
||
Is no user information captured (apart from feedback)? |
1 |
||
Is privacy of personal information assured? |
1 |
||
Is there an editorial review process? |
1 |
||
Is the editorial review process explained? |
0 |
16 |
|
Currency |
Is there a date stamp at the bottom of each page? |
1 |
|
How current is the material? (5 = < one month, 0 = > two years old) |
5 |
6 |
|
Usability |
How useful is the information? (0-5) |
5 |
|
Are hyperlinks useful? |
1 |
||
Are hyper links properly identified, structured and authenticated? (0-3) |
2 |
||
Is there a description of linked sites? |
1 |
||
Is a graphical browser not required? |
1 |
||
Are plugins not required? |
1 |
||
Which browser version is required (v2=3, v3=2, v4=1)? |
3 |
||
Is the site logically organised? |
1 |
||
Generic search engine = 2, Javascript engine = 1 |
0 |
||
Quality of search responses (0-2) |
0 |
||
Feedback mechanism - email = 1, form = 2 |
1 |
||
Is there a chat room? |
0 |
||
If so, is a moderator present? |
0 |
||
Is any information-tailoring algorithm disclosed? |
0 |
||
Are users alerted when they move to an external site? |
1 |
17 |
|
Total=46 |