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Evaluating Sources
When you are searching for information, it is not enough to use the first source that you find. Before you decide to include an article or website as a source for your paper, you must first evaluate the information to see if it is accurate, authoritative, objective, current, and relevant.
1. Current - Can you tell when the information was written/created? Is the information out-of-date?
2. Relevant - Is the information useful to you? Is the topic covered in sufficient depth? Does the information suit your needs?
3. Accurate - Is the information accurate and reliable? Is there any evidence of corroboration of the content from another source? Does the author provide references to support any statements or conclusions made in the text?
4. Authoritative - Is the author identified? If so, is this person considered to be an authority on the subject? Is the author affiliated with a particular association or organization? Is the publisher identified? Is the publisher associated with promoting specific interests?
5. Purpose - Why was the information published? Who is the intended audience for the information? Does the article or website provide facts or opinions? Is the article or website providing information from multiple viewpoints or is it biased?