Critical Evaluation of Sources

Using reviewed sources, comparing the information you find in one source to the information in other sources on the same topic, and corroborating information are three useful strategies for ensuring the quality of your information. Below are some questions that can guide you through the process of thinking critically about the information in the sources you consider using whether they come from print or electronic sources!.

". #rite down your topic $. %lease give author and title of source and publication information place of publication, publishing house, and year!. &. Answer the following questions for three of your sources'
A. Authority: #ho is the author( #hat are the author)s credentials( #ho is the publisher( B. Objectivity: #hat is the purpose*goal of the author( to inform, e+plain, educate, advocate, persuade, etc.! ,oes the information appear to be valid and well-researched( are arguments and conclusions supported by evidence that is verifiable, are opposing points of view addressed, etc.(! #hat types of sources are cited( Check whether your source has a #orks Cited, reference list, or a bibliography! C. Quality: .ow is the information organi/ed( 0s the source print or electronic! user friendly( D. Currency: #hen was the source published( 0s the date important for your topic( #hy or why not( E. Relevance: #hy is this source relevant*appropriate for your topic( #hat pieces of information can you use from this source(