Critical Evaluation of Sources
This guide is adapted from the outstanding "Critical Evaluation of Information Sources Or, But Is It Credible? by Colleen Bell at the University of Oregon Libraries. It is used with her permission.
Authority | Objectivity | Quality | Coverage | Currency | Relevance
It is always important to critically evaluate information that you are using, either in a paper or to make a decision in your personal life. Sometimes this is easier to do than others. Many printed sources go through an editorial review process which means that either one person or several people agree that the information is credible before allowing it to be published. Newspaper articles, magazine articles, and scholarly journal articles all go through this process.
But just because something is printed, doesn't automatically mean you should trust it. Consider the supermarket tabloids like the Weekly World News. Certainly that information source is suspect! Here are some other scenarios that should cause you to think more critically about what you read:
- Magazines accept advertising. In theory, journalists are not supposed to take this into account when writing an article criticizing a company or a product, but it is something that you as a reader should consider as a possibility.
- Newspapers, magazines, and television stations are now often owned by large entertainment companies (for example, Time Warner owns Time Magazine, CNN, HBO, New Line Cinema, AOL, and Warner Bros., Sports Illustrated, and Warner Books). Think about that the next time you read a review of a new album, book, movie, or television show.
- Even scholarly journals are not exempt. In the mid-1990's, Alan Sokal wrote an article that was complete nonsense which passed the peer-review process and was published in a scholarly journal.
Just because you find information on the Web does not mean it is automatically false NOR does it mean you can automatically trust it. It needs to be critically evaluated just as any printed source, and in some cases even MORE critically since many websites have no editor or reviewers. There are some websites which are completely fictitious. Using reviewed sources, comparing the information you find in one source to other sources on the same topic, and corroborating information are three useful strategies for ensuring the quality of your information.
Below are some questions that can guide you through the process of thinking critically about the information source you are considering using. Keep in mind that this process may take some time. It isn't necessary to answer all the questions, but it is important that you think through them before using ANY source of information from a book, to a website to an "expert" whom you interview.
Authority
Questions to Ask |
Finding the Answers |
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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 his/her peers?
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Who is the publisher?
Commercial, trade, institutional, other
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Is the author associated with a reputable institution or organization?
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Objectivity
Questions to Ask |
Finding the Answers |
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Does the author state the goals for this publication?
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| Does the author exhibit a particular bias? What assumptions does the author make?
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Is the viewpoint of the author's affiliation reflected in the message or content?
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Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched?
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Verify facts and statistics with a other sources |
Quality
Questions to Ask |
Finding the Answers |
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Is the information well-organized?
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| Has author used good grammar? Are there spelling or typographical errors? |
Read carefully for errors |
Are the graphics (images, tables, charts, diagrams) appropriate and clearly presented?
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Consider other ways to present the information |
Coverage
Questions to Ask |
Finding the Answers |
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| Does the work update other sources? | Compare publication dates and content to other sources you have found |
| Does it corroborate other materials you have read, or add new information? | You should seek out multiple points of view and include a diversity of sources and ideas |
| Have you found enough information to support your arguments? | Look for gaps in your arguments and evidence
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Currency
Questions to Ask |
Finding the Answers |
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| When was it published? | Look for a publication or copyright date on the
Dates on web pages may indicate
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| Is your topic one that requires current information? | Topic areas requiring the most up-to-date information may include
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| Has this source been revised, updated, or expanded in a later edition? | Search catalogs and other databases for more recent editions |
Relevance
Questions to Ask |
Finding the Answers |
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| Does the work address your research question or meet the requirements of your assignment? | Review your research question and/or assignment |
Is the content appropriate for your research topic or assignment?
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