Check it out. Test your source against the following criteria. If you can answer the questions completely then consider the source as possibly useful. Look at the answers carefully. Some answers will tell you right away that you don’t want the source at all.
Bibliographic source being evaluated:
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| WHO wrote it? (Authority)
Who is responsible for the content of the source? Can you determine the name of the individual, the organization, or entity which produced it? Is there an address or e-mail given to provide communication or feedback? |
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| WHY was it written? (Objectivity)
Does this source use language which gives opinion, viewpoint, or perspective? Is the author’s bias revealed in the introduction, preface, or information "about" the author? Try to determine the reasons for the creation of the source. |
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| WHEN was it written? (Currency)
Timeliness is often an important factor in the usefulness of information. Look for copyright dates, updates, and sources used. If the source contains references to other pieces of information, can you discover when those were produced? |
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| WHERE else has the information
been published? (Accuracy)
The more reliable a source the more likely it is the information contained in it was checked and verified. Look for clues that tell you that the information was verified in other sources or can be found duplicated in at least two other sources. If dates, updates, and sources are presented these are clues which indicate the author at least attempts to keep the information current. |
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| HOW is it organized &
presented (Content & Organization)
Does this source give you the information you need in an organized, well presented manner? Does it flow logically from one point to another? Is it pleasing to the eye and easy to follow? How in depth does the source get on the topic? Is there an index? A table of contents? An easy way of navigating through the source and locating specific information? |
To Source Checklist
