In evaluating the credibility of an information source there are several key areas to consider:
The tables below provide a framework for investigating these aspects of an information source, whether it be an article in a journal or newspaper or encyclopedia; a book; a web site; a government document; or any other source upon which you're relying. Not all questions will apply in all situations, and not all responses need to be positive ones - this is not a scorecard. The questions are intended to help you think critically about information sources.
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Who is the author? |
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What are the author's credentials?
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What is the author's reputation among peers?
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Who is the publisher?
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Is the author associated with a reputable institution or organization?
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Does the author state the goals for this publication? Are they to inform, explain, or advocate? Are they to sell a service or serve as a soapbox? |
Skim the foreword, preface, abstract and/or introduction of the work. |
Does the author exhibit a particular bias?
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Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched?
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Is the information well-organized?
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If it's a book, look at the table of contents to get an idea of the work and skim the text itself. |
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Are the graphics (images, tables, charts, diagrams) appropriate?
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If a web page, is the information reliable? | Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask (UC Berkeley) |
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When was it published? |
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Is your topic one that requires current information? | Topic areas requiring the most up-to-date information include:
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Has this source been updated in a subsequent edition? | Search WorldCat for a more recent edition |
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Is the content appropriate for your research topic or assignment?
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