Points to Remember

          How do I interpret it?

ACCURACY

• Who wrote it and can you contact him/her?
• What is the purpose of the information and why was it produced?
• Is the information written by someone qualified?
• Is there a broad overview of the topic, or a focus on a specific area?

ACCURACY

• Check to see if there is contact information for the author
• Know the difference between author, editor, publisher and webmaster
• A general overview of a topic doesn’t mean the author is an expert.

AUTHORITY

• Who published the document?
• Is the publisher a trustworthy or reputable?
• If the information is from a Web site, what is the domain?
• What are the author’s credentials?

AUTHORITY

• Is the author an expert in the field?
• Where is the document published? Academic publishers usually have high standards for publishing.  Commercial presses may be less trustworthy.

OBJECTIVITY

• What are the goals and objectives of the author? 
• Are the author’s opinions objective or partial?
• Is all the information available or does the author present only that which supports his/her point of view?
• If the information is from a Web site, are there links to other sites with different points of view?

OBJECTIVITY

• Does the information sound like an advertisement?
• Does the author use words that evoke emotions or prejudiced views?  What is his/her writing style?
• Was the information written for a specific target audience?
• Is the information fact or opinion?

CURRENCY

• Is there more current information available in other sources?
• Can you find similar information in the same time period?
• If the information is from a Web site, when was the last time it was updated?  Are there “dead” links?

CURRENCY

• There are fields of study that require very current information (sciences), but there are other areas where it may not be so important (history, philosophy)
• Is the information dated?

COVERAGE

• Is the information complete?
• Does the author provide references or links to further information?
• If the information is from a Web site, is it easy to navigate the information?

COVERAGE

• Have other experts in the field reviewed the information? 
• Is the information a primary or a secondary source?
• Does the information add, update or validate other information you have read on the topic?