An Annotation Guide for Web Resources
Craig Gibson, George Mason University

This proposed annotation system takes into account both descriptive  elements and evaluative criteria, because both are necessary to inform the individual new to the resource of its many aspects—content, organization, navigation,  and technical issues. 

The proposed annotation system contains “fixed fields” and “variable fields,” similar to the standardized structure of a record for an item in a library collection.  “Fixed fields” are spaces for recording descriptive information about certain aspects of the resource, such as type of resource, intellectual level, complexity of content, and level of interactivity.  The spaces in fixed fields are completed with a highly standardized vocabulary.

“Variable fields” are slots for evaluative information about the site.  A standardized vocabulary or coding system is not used, but model evaluative standards are used in filling in the some of the slots.  Some variable fields are required for each annotation, while others are optional; this flexibility is essential because of the highly divergent nature of web resources.

Basic annotation template:

Fixed Fields (Descriptive Elements):

Resource type:
Intellectual level:
Author/sponsoring organization:
Complexity of organization:
Organizational pattern:
Level of interactivity:
Additional software required:  

Variable fields (Evaluative Criteria);

Evaluation of content: *Site sponsored by [name of individual or organization] and located at [name of city, country] as a [type of resource—commercial, educational, governmental, nonprofit, network-related].  *Purpose is [statement of purpose if deducible from site or other documentation]; purpose has/has not changed within [time period since change].  *Scope is [parameters/range of topics, issues, other content; indicate content specifically excluded if appropriate.]  *Audience is [describe primary audience, if given in purpose statement on the site or on accompanying documentation] Accuracy of information is [indicate degree of accuracy using model evaluative criteria]. Balance of perspectives within information is [indicate degree of balance and objectivity using model evaluative criteria].  *Currency of information is [indicate currency of content; information on the site itself is primary indicator of currency, “last reviewed” or “last update” date is secondary indicator]. *Site updated by [indicate method used for updating: through additions of unfiltered or primary data; analyses of syntheses of data; or combination of both]. *Site [provides/does not provide] links to other web sources; links [support/do not support] primary purpose of site and the quantity of links is in the range of [indicate range: 0-10; 11-50; 51-100; above 100]. Content and style [are/are not] congruent and both [are/are not] consistent throughout the site. Interactivity [is/is not] present [through such features as chats, webcasts, online forums, tutorials, online exercises]; these interactive elements [support/do not support] the purpose of the site.

Evaluation of technical issues:  *Site [has/does not have] clear navigational scheme through the presence of [identify navigational technique used—banner/navigation bar, logo or other graphic].  *Site home page or primary reference point clearly [contains/does not contain] all the essential information to use the site. *Name of sponsoring organization/contact person [is/is not] present on home page and all subpages or other parts of the site. *Site [uses/does not use] graphics, illustrations, or photographs; use of graphics [supports/does not support] content of site; use of graphics [may/will not] cause slow download times for users with modems or slower Internet connections. Site size is [more than/less than 100 pages if web site, + MB if possible to verify; MB if other resource type]. A search engine [is/is not] provided. The site [does/does not] meet reasonable ADA accommodations for the visually impaired. *The site is located on a server with [describe frequency of interruptions of service and duration of interruptions]

*indicates a required variable field

  More Web Annotation Resources