Evaluation Criteria  (Evaluating Information)

1.  Accuracy -- is the information reliable and error free?
      a.  Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the information?  Is it 
           peer-reviewed?
      b.  Is there adequate documentation:  bibliography, footnotes, credits, quotations?
      c.  Are the conclusions justified by the information presented?

      If you are unable to verify accuracy based on these 3 bulleted items, look outside the 
      source itself (do additional research):  Is the information verified in other sources?  Do 
      experts agree on the findings?

Comments/Explanations

a.  article selected by an editor/editorial board (for example, article in Newsweek) carries more weight than one which 
     has not been through a selection/editing process (for example, an article the author simply puts on his/her web site).
b.  article in a refereed (peer-reviewed) journal is highly regarded because selected  by scholars who ar specialists on 
     the topic.
c.  article with good bibliography carries more weight than article without bibliography.

2.   Authority -- Is the source of the information reputable?
      a.  What are the author's qualifications?  staff reporter? scholar in field?
      b.  How did you find the information?  Did you use an index or references from other 
           works?
      c.  What type of source is it?  Sensationalistic? Popular? Scholarly?
      d.  What is the reputation of the publisher?

      If no individual is taking responsibility for the article, who is?  Evaluate the publisher's 
      reputation for guaranteeing accuracy.  (If no author is given on a web page, is the 
      sponsor of the page reputable?  If the sponsor is also not indicated on the web page, 
      can you determine its origin from the URL and digging deeper into its website)

Comments/Explanations

a.   medical article written by M.D. from reliable medical research facility carries more weight than one written by
      someone whose credentials are unknown or who claims credentials are unknown or who claims credentials but 
      is not affiliated with an organization known to be reputable.

3.   Objectivity --Does the information show bias?
      a.  What is the purpose of the information?--inform? Persuade? Explain? Sway 
           opinion? Advertise?
      b.  Does the source show political or cultural biases?

      If you are unable to determine objectivity based on the lettered items above, look 
      outside the source (do more research):  Do other sources provide other viewpoints?

Comments/Explanations

a.   article written by an M.D. working for a company selling health food may be more interested in selling product 
      than telling whole story.
b.   recognizing and understanding the bias/opinion in an article on a web site may require digging deeper into the 
      site to learn about the web site's philosophy.

4.  Currency-- When was the information published?  When was the information 
       collected?
       a.  Is it current?
     b.  Does it reflect the time period about which you are concerned?

Comments/Explanations

a.   a five-year-old article may be a good source in some fields and for some purposes.  Rapidly changing fields
      may consider six-month-old articles out of date.

5.    Coverage -- Does it provide the evidence or information you need?
       a.  Is the audience for which it is intended appropriate for your purposes?  
            (professional, layperson, child, adult?)
       b.  Is it suitable for your level of understanding? (too simple, too difficult?)
       c.  Is the information in the appropriate format? (print, electronic, video, sound?)
       d.  Does it cover the topic (s) you need?  Does it provide the main points or concepts 
            you need?  Do its major findings add to your understanding?  Do they support or 
            refute your original ideas on the topic?

Comments/Explanations

a.   article aimed at general audience in a popular magazine may be appropriate for one project/paper but 
      inappropriate for a  more scholarly project.
b.   veterinary school can provide animal disease information for pet owners that is very reliable and 
      reputable--yet  1) not cite sources because audience is pet owners, not scholars/vets and  2) not give 
      specific author for the article.


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