KYVL: How to Do Research: What are the Criteria?

The primary criteria for evaluating information resources are scope & content.

SCOPE	Does the scope of your information provide sufficient breadth and depth?
Breadth	Are all aspects of the subject covered?
Depth	To what level of detail in the subject does the resource go?
CONTENT	Is the purpose, audience, accuracy, authority, currency, and quality of your information appropriate for your information need?
Purpose	What is the purpose of the resource? Is the information factual or opinion? Are political or ideological biases apparent?
Audience	Who is the intended audience for this information? Is it intended for a subject expert or a layperson?
Accuracy	Is the information accurate? How do you know?
Authority	What is the author's expertise, credentials, or institutional affiliation? Are the author's sources of information documented?
Currency	Is the information in the resource limited to certain time periods?
Quality	Is the text well-written. Does the author achieve credibility as a result of the quality of presentation and expression?

Unit 5: Evaluating Information: 2 of 7

Last updated: Thursday, 24-Jun-2004 16:52:10 EDT