Let’s face it–there is a lot of information available! How do you determine if it’s GOOD information, especially if you want to use it for research?
- Authority
- Who wrote this information, and why?
- What credentials or expertise does the author have in the subject area?
- Is the information fact-based, or opinion-based?
- Who owns or is sponsoring the source?
- Purpose
- Who is the intended audience? Is it for scholars, the community, or private groups?
- What is the purpose of the source? Is it to inform, instruct, persuade, or to sell?
- Objectivity
- Is the information biased? If so, does the author acknowledge these biases?
- Does the author present alternative points of view?
- Does the source sponsor have any vested interests that could cause bias?
- Credibility
- Where does the information come from?
- Does the author provide references or a bibliography?
- If references are listed, are they from primary or secondary sources? Are the references themselves trustworthy?
- Timeliness
- When was the source written/published?
- Have there been any new developments or changes in that subject since it was created? Is it outdated?
- How current are the sources listed as references?
- Relevance
- How will using this source contribute to your research?
- Is this type of resource permitted by your professor?