Evaluating

Evaluating Sources

When conducting research, we encounter information in many places and formats.
It is OUR job to evaluate the information we find to determine:

WHAT is the source of the information
IF and HOW we should utilize the information

Criteria for Evaluating Sources

Ask these questions to evaluate information and determine IF and HOW you will utilize the information.

Information Evaluation Chart (pdf)

Criteria	Questions to Ask
1. What is it? Look at how information is packaged for clues about what it is and how it can be used.	Look for physical clues as to the origin of the information. In what medium was the item created and distributed (print, electronic, artifact)? How was the information published (or not)? Is it a piece of a larger entity (chapter, article, webpage from a website)?
2. Authority / Credibility Determining the author of a source is important in deciding whether information is credible. The author should show some evidence of being knowledgeable, reliable and truthful.	Who is the author (person, company, or organization)? Can you describe the author's background (experience, education, knowledge)? Does the publisher specialize in certain subject areas of knowledge? Does the author provide citations? Do other sources cite this source?
3. Purpose / Intent Asking why information was created can help determine how (or if) it should be used for research.	Is the information fact or opinion? Who is the intended audience? What is the purpose or motive for the source (educational, commercial, entertainment, promotional, etc.)? Identify possible bias of the author, publisher or sponsor.
4. Accuracy The source should contain accurate and up-to-date information that can be verified by other sources.	Can facts or statistics be verified through another source? How was the data collected? What was the methodology?
5. Scope / Relevance It is important that the source meets the information needs and requirements of your research assignment.	Does the source cover your topic comprehensively or does it cover only one aspect? To what extent does the source answer your research question? Is the source considered popular or scholarly?
6. Currency / Date Some written works are ageless (e.g., classic literature) while others (e.g., technological news) become outdated quickly. It is important to determine if currency is pertinent to your research.	When was the source written and published? Is currency important to your research?

Primary vs Secondary Sources

When evaluating the quality of the information you are using, it is useful to identify if you are using a Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary source. By doing so, you will be able recognize if the author is reporting on his/her own first hand experiences, or relying on the views of others.

Source Type	Examples
Primary A primary source is a first-hand account by someone who experienced or witnessed an event. This original document has not been previously published or interpreted by anyone else.	First person account of an event First publication of a scientific study Speech or lecture Original artwork Handwritten manuscript Letters between two people Diary Historical documents, e.g. Bill of Rights
Secondary A secondary source is one step removed from the primary original source. The author is reexamining, interpreting and forming conclusions based on the information that is conveyed in the primary source.	Analysis of primary sources in scholarly books and articles Newspaper reporting on a scientific study Review of a music CD or art show Biography
Tertiary A tertiary source is further removed from primary source. It leads the researcher to a secondary source, rather than to the primary source.	A tertiary source is further removed from primary source. It leads the researcher to a secondary source, rather than to the primary source. Bibliography Index to articles Library catalog