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Paralegal Studies Subject Guide

This guide features lots of resources to help with assignments in your Paralegal Studies courses!

Evaluating Information

Evaluating Information

  1. Use the criteria below to review the website you are evaluating.
  2. Click each box to see what sort of questions one should ask about a source to determine its quality.
  3. A high-quality source with good information will enable you to answer MOST of the questions in each box with a "YES."
  • Is the content grammatically correct?
  • Is the information accurate and verifiable?
  • Are sources and references cited?
  • Does the tone and style imply accuracy?
  • 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?
  • 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?
  • 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?
  • 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.

Iconography of the 4 tenets of SIFT: Stop, Investigate, Find coverage, trace to source

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