Source Evaluation - How to Guide

Source Evaluation

Substance

Authority

How to Evaluate your Sources

Here are some general items you should look for when evaluating print sources and websites.

Currency

Point of View / Bias

General Rules

Accuracy

Relevance

Evaluating Information Rubric

Parts of a website

Title Page of a book

Definitions

Currency

• Does the paper/assignment require the most current information, historical information, or information over a period of time?
• If you are researching a topic that is currently in the news, you may want only the most recent information. If you are researching a historical event, you may want information written at the time of the event.
• What is the copyright date on the reverse of the title page? Does it meet your needs? Is this the most recent edition?
• For periodicals: Does the publication date meet your needs?
• The publication date, copyright date, or last update should appear near the beginning or end of the text.

is information that is created to amuse,please, relax or ditract people.

is information that is created to amuse,please, relax or ditract people.

Authority

• Who is supplying the information?
• Is it an educational institution (.edu extension)? A government agency (.gov)? A commercial supplier (.com)? A non-profit organization (.org)?
• Is the supplier a reputable organization? (look for an “About Us” link on the homepage)
• Is there an author or contact person named?
• What are the author's credentials?
• Has this site been reviewed by experts or professional organizations?
• Is the the author an expert or researcher in the field?

Substance

• Who is the intended audience? Researchers or experts?
• Trade or professional members? The general public?
• Is the source appropriate for your needs, or is it too technical too elementary, or too full of jargon?

Accuracy

• Matches with "Common Knowledge"
• A bibliography or reference list at the end of the text can give you an idea of the extent of research
• Primary sources do not usually include bibliographies.
• If the information is not current, is it still accurate?
• Can the information be verified or supported by other sources? Do other sources report the same findings?

• Does the site appear to be carefully edited, or are there typographical errors?

Relevance

• Naturally, you should be able to tell from reading the source whether or not it will be useful for your purpose.
• How closely does the book or journal relate to the purpose for which you need that information?
• What is the purpose of the site or article?
• Is it to share new, scholarly research?
• is it to report developments in an evolving news story?
• Or is it to rant about a government conspiracy?
• ​How closely does the web site relate to the purpose for which you need that information?

Point of View / Bias

• Does the information appear to be filtered or is it free from bias?
• Could the organization sponsoring the site have a stake in how the information is presented?
• Is the site free of advertisements?
• Are various points of view, theories, techniques, or schools of thought offered?

• Does it promote the ideas of a particular group--religious, political, etc.?
• Is the information objective or partial?
• Is it factual information or interpretations of facts?
• Are there opinions stated?

Evaluating Information Rubric

Definitions

Scholarly or Academic Journal: A special magazine that shares new research and ideas in a particular subject area, like the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. The articles in these journals are usually written by the people who did the research. They're carefully checked by other experts before they're published to make sure they're accurate. Trade Journal: A magazine that gives news and information for a specific kind of business or industry. These magazines are often made by groups that represent that business or industry. Primary Source: A first-hand document or record that gives original information about a topic. This can be things like letters, diaries, photos, or even government documents. Scholars use these to learn about history or do research. Secondary Source: A work that's based on or talks about a primary source. These can be things like reviews, summaries, or analyses of original documents. They help us understand and learn from the primary sources. Bias: When someone's judgment is unfairly influenced by their own opinions instead of looking at the facts fairly.

Parts of a Website

Website Title Web page or document/article title URL

Publisher Copyright Date of Publication Author

URL

URL

Back

WebSITE Title

Web PAGE Title

Back

Author

Date

Publisher

Title Page

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What to look for in websites

• Currency: When was the website last updated?
• Authority: Who is the author or creator?
• Validity/Accuracy: Is the information accurate or valid?
• Audience: Who was the website created for?
• Point of view (bias): What is the website's point of view?

What to look for in books and periodicals

• Currency: What is the publication date of the resource?
• Authority: Who is the author and publisher?
• Validity/Accuracy: Is the information accurate or valid?
• Audience: Who was the resource written for?
• Point of view (bias): What is the resource's point of view?