Evaluating Sources
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The document provides guidance on evaluating sources of information by addressing key questions such as the purpose of the information, the authority of the author, relevance, currency, accuracy, and bias. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the author's qualifications, the content's relevance to the topic, and the source's credibility. Additionally, it suggests evaluating the purpose and potential biases of the information to ensure it aligns with the user's needs.
Evaluating Sources
- 2. Why do you need the information? Is it for … an assignment? -a paper? a project? a project outside of class? -career help? a personal research project? personal entertainment? -a recipe, the latest Hollywood gossip, your favorite meme?
- 4. Who? Who wrote or presented this information? Does the person have the qualifications to be presenting this information? Is he or she trustworthy?
- 5. Clues Check for authority of the author by asking: Does the writer have a degree in the subject? What are his or her affiliations (where does the author work)? What do others in the field think about this person? What else has this person written about the topic? Is he or she an expert?
- 6. What? What is the content in the source? Is it relevant to your topic of study?
- 7. Clues Check for relevance in: The title An abstract if there is one Subject headings or table of contents if they are present A scan of the article
- 8. When? How current is the information? Is it outdated?
- 9. Clues Check for currency by looking: For a date in the citation if you’re looking at a journal article in a database After the title or at the bottom of the article from a website
- 10. Where? Where did this information come from? Is it cited? Is it sponsored by an organization with a bias? Is the information trustworthy?
- 11. Clues To check for accuracy and bias, ask Is this a controversial topic? Is the language of this article trying to lead me to believe something? Is the data sound? Could another conclusion be made based on the data? Is there data missing? Are there many grammatical errors? Is the article well-structured and organized?
- 12. Why? For what purpose is this information being offered? Does the purpose match your own?
- 13. Clues To determine the purpose of a source, ask: What vocabulary and language is used? Is it for the general public or an expert scholar? Is the platform of the information flashy and exciting, or simple? Is the source trying to entertain or inform? Are there advertisements? Can you see where the author is getting his or her information? Are there citations or a works cited list?
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