Is the information that you have found reliable? How do you know? Use the following checklist to assess the reliability of your information source:
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Purpose
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• Is the purpose of the information to inform, explain, persuade, market a product, or advocate a cause? |
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Scope
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• Is the content intended to be a brief overview of the information or an in-depth analysis? |
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Audience
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• Is it intended for the general public,
scholars, practitioners, etc.? • Does it meet the needs of its stated audience? |
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Author
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• If the author is an individual, what are
the author's credentials and affiliation? • If the author is an institution, what is its purpose? |
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Bias
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• Are there political, ideological, cultural,
religious, or institutional biases? • Is the information substantiated and documented? • Is there a list of references used by the author? |
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Presentation
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• Is your information source professionally written?
• Is it well-organized? • Does the conclusion support the thesis? |
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Date
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• Is the information source dated? • Is it appropriately current for your information need? |
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Publisher
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• What is the source of publication? • Is it a university press, a government agency, an established publishing house, a special-interest organization, or an individual? |
Why Evaluate Information Resources? | What are the Criteria? | Authority | Objectivity | Reliability | Timeliness | Coverage
Last updated: Tuesday, 20-Aug-2002 15:59:26 EDT