What criteria should I consider to evaluate print and electronic information sources?
Purpose
Was the document written to inform, entertain, or persuade? The intent of the document may sometimes affect how the content is presented or whether it is biased.
Authority
Was the document produced and/or reviewed by a person or group with an expertise in the subject area? Are the author's credentials provided and is information provided that would allow you to confirm those credentials? (That is, is an institution name, address, and phone number indicated?). Does the document cite the sources that were used in its preparation? If so, can you verify the authority of those cited sources?
Printed sources can often be evaluated on the basis of the publisher. Is the publisher known for major and reputable works in this field of study?
If the source is a journal article, does it appear in a peer-reviewed
journal? A list of refereed journals appears in Ulrich's international
periodicals directory, volume 4. Reference Information Desk
Z6941 .U5.
Currency
Can you determine the date the source was published, created, or last revised? Does the document contain technical or scientific data that is likely to be outdated? If it is a web document, do the links still work?
Intended Audience and Appropriateness
Is the document presented at a level appropriate for the intended audience? e.g. A consumer health source should use medical jargon sparingly or define the terms in lay language whereas sources written for physicians should presuppose an understanding of medical jargon and procedure.
Informational content/scope
Has the topic been covered at a sufficient level?
