Evaluating Information
Evaluating Information
- Use the criteria below to review the website you are evaluating.
- Click each box to see what sort of questions one should ask about a source to determine its quality.
- A high-quality source with good information will enable you to answer MOST of the questions in each box with a "YES."
Accuracy
- Is the content grammatically correct?
- Is the information accurate and verifiable?
- Are sources and references cited?
- Does the tone and style imply accuracy?
Author
- Do you know who published the source?
- Is the author's name easily visible?
- What are the author's credentials and are they appropriate for the information provided?
- Can you find contact information?
- Is the source produced by a reputable organization?
Currency
- Do you know when the information was originally published and is the date acceptable?
- Do you know when the information was last updated and is the date acceptable?
- Are web links current and reliable?
- Do charts and graphs have dates?
Fairness
- Are various points-of-view presented?
- Is the source free of bias towards one point-of-view?
- Is the objectivity of the source consistent with its purpose?
- Is the source free of advertising?
Relevance
- Does the purpose of the source (e.g., research, statistical, organizational) meet your needs?
- Who is the intended audience? Will information directed to this audience meet your needs?
- Is the information relevant to your research topic?
Online Verification Skills (SIFT)
Deciding whether information you find online is reliable is a challenge! Following the SIFT method will help. Check out the information below and also the Library Blog post about the SIFT method.
This series of 4 short videos give you the tools and methods you need to quickly evaluate information using the SIFT method
- Stop
- Investigate the Source
- Find Better Coverage
- Trace to original context
Original source and lots more descriptive text: SIFT: the four moves by Mike Caulfield