Cheat Sheet: Evaluating Information Sources

Learn to read an article citation (this example is in MLA style) so you can understand the pieces of information it provides:

Wohlers, Anton E. "Regulating Genetically Modified Food." Politics & The Life Sciences 29.2 (2010): 17-39. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Jan. 2013.
Author(s)

Publication date

Retrieval date

Source (publication)

Learn to evaluate information sources critically by asking these questions:

Authority Who wrote this?

Who is the author of the information? What are his/her credentials? In this example, what can you find out about Anton Wohlers?

Source/Publication Who put this out there?

Where was this published? Whats your source for finding it? A magazine? Scholarly journal? Someones personal blog? Online newspaper? In this example, the source is an academic journal called Politics & The Life Sciences Why was this written? To inform you? Sell you something? Entertain? Persuade? Is there a bias? This example: This is a research study to investigate how different countries regulate the influence of biotechnology on agriculture. It compares the United States, Canada, and Europe. Can the information be verified? Are the facts supported by evidence? (Hint: Look for citations!) This example: Yes there is a list of cited references to back up what they are saying. When was it published, posted, or updated? For your topic, is it important to have current information? This example: 2010 -quite recently. Who is this information for? General public? Students? Scholars? Is it useful for a specific group of people? Example: This article is for students and other researchers interested in agriculture policy or the biotechnology industry.

Content & Purpose Why does this exist at all?

Accuracy Do they give me any proof?

Currency/Timeliness Is this up to date?

Audience Who is interested?