Evaluating Resources

Currency

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
• *Are the links functional?

Relevance

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your research question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as publisher or email address?
• *Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? (.com, .edu, .gov, .net, .org)

Accuracy

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed, edited, or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose

• What is the purpose of the information? To inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?