We get information from books, the Internet,
journal articles, the media, and individuals. The educated
person will have to make decisions and choices about what
information to use and whether or not it is reliable and appropriate.
Here are some criteria that can help you evaluate the information
you find:
Authority
/ Author
Who
wrote this information? What are their credentials? Are they
considered experts in the field? Are they affiliated with
a reputable institution? Do they indicate the source(s) of
their information?
Objectivity
/ Accuracy What
is the author(s)' point of view/purpose in presenting the
information? Are they affiliated with a particular interest
group? Are there other sides to the story? Is there a bias
inherent in this information?
Appropriateness
Is the information relevant to your research? Is it thorough
in its coverage? Is it general or specific? If you need current
information, is this an up-to-date source?
