Evaluating Your Sources

All of these characteristics should be considered in evaluating any information source, whether it is a book; a magazine, newspaper or journal article; a government document; a Web page; or an individual. Experience makes this process easier.

Authority

Goal: Find information from knowledgeable sources.
Examples

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Specificity/Relevance

Goal: Find sources that specifically address your individual question.
Examples

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Audience

Goal: Find information appropriate for the audience to be addressed.
Examples

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Accuracy

Goal: Find accurate, reliable information.
A difficult judgment to make for a new subject. Part of the process will involve comparing one information source on the topic to others.
Examples

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Currency

Goal: Find information current enough to answer your research question.
Old sources can be fine for an historical question, but not for current events.
Examples

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Objectivity

Goal: Find sources to address all sides of an issue. May require multiple sources representing differing viewpoints.
Examples

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Additional Resources