Evaluating Info Sources

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Evaluating Info Sources

Use the Basic W Questions!!!

 

 

Who? Authorship
What are the author's credentials, qualifications, affiliations?
 
What? Accuracy, Verifiability, Attribution
Does this book, article, or site satisfy your information need?
Can you understand it?
Is it the type of source you need?
Can you verify information in other sources?
Do other experts agree?
Is there a bibliography or reference list?
 
When? Currency
What is the date of publication?
Is newer information available?
Do you need the most recent information on your topic?
 
Where? Publisher
Did you find the reference to this book, articles, or site in a reliable source?
Where was it published?
What is the reputation of the publisher/journal?
What kind of review or editorial process preceded publication of the source?
 
Why? Point of View/Bias
What is the author's purpose?
Is the source objective in presenting the information?
Can you identify bias? Are various points represented?
 

More on Evaluating Websites
Is it stable? Will it be here tomorrow?
Are there statistics on use or a copyright date?
Did you locate the site through a reliable web search engine or directory site?
When was the last update?
 
Do all (or most) of the connections work?
Is there evidence of hasty development?
When was it last updated?
 
Is the content accurate and reliable?
Is it indexed by major directory sites like Yahoo or Google?
Is it a link on other sites? Is it copyrighted?
Can you verify content through a printed source?
Is the content available in other formats?
 
Is there a statement of responsibility or ownership?
Is it produced by an organization or person with the background and credentials to mount the site?
Is the content free of bias or prejudice?
Is the content reviewed by others?
Does each page provide basic info?
 
Is there evidence of regular maintenance?
Are links and info updated on a schedule?
When was the last update?
 
Is it easy to use? Are there good navigational aids?
Can you quickly move from page to page?
Are the arrows and buttons self-explanatory?
 
Is it consistent in the use of graphics, etc.?
Do you get confused about where you are at the site?
 
Is it fast and responsive?
Does it take forever to load the graphics?
BEWARE B this may not be their fault!!
 
Here are bogus websites. What are your tipoffs?
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
 
DiHydro Monoxide (www.dhmo.org)

EVALUATING THE SOURCE OF THE INFORMATION

  • What is the source of the information? What type of source is it? (Scholarly, popular, governmental, private)
  • What are the author's or producer's qualification for the topic? (education, occupation, experience, position, affiliation, other publications)
  • When was the information published?
  • In which country was it published or produced?
  • What is the reputation of the publisher? (university, alternative press, political organization)
  • Was the material reviewed (referred) or edited for publication?
  • Does the source show political or cultural biases?
  • Is a bibliography or other form of documentation included?

EVALUATING INFORMATION CONTENT

  • What is the author's thesis or purpose?
  • What are main points, findings or concepts?
  • What facts and opinions are presented?
  • Is this a report of primary research? (Survey, experiment, observation)
  • Is it a compilation of information gathered from other sources?
  • Are the conclusions supported by the information presented?
  • Is there adequate documentation? (Bibliography, footnotes, credits)
  • Is this information verified in other sources in the discipline?
  • Do experts in the field agree on the findings?

Adapted from EVALUATING INFORMATION a pamphlet from the American Library Association 1994