Evaluating information

Author

• is the author qualified to write on this topic? 
• does the author have affiliations with reputable institutions? 
• does the author cite other sources in a reference list?
• for websites such as YouTube, is it clear who is posting the content?

Currency

• is the information up-to-date for your purpose? 
• is the website content current for your purpose?
• check the publication date for all content

Accuracy

• is the information factual and correct?
• is a reference list or bibliography included?
• can the information be confirmed by research, statistics or studies?

Purpose

• does the author provide a particular perspective (e.g. political, historical, gendered, or religious)?
• are multiple viewpoints presented?
• are the author’s conclusions based on personal opinion or evidence?

Audience

• who is the information for: the general public, scholars or professional practitioners? 
• is this reflected in the writing style and terminology?

Check the Author is qualified to write about the topic, and the Publisher is clear.

Check the Domain name:

• .gov or .edu are from government or educational institutions and are trustworthy

Check the Date - older information may be out of date.

Check the Coverage in terms of time period, or level of detail in relation to your topic. 

Check the Content information is not biased, compared to other credible sources (such as scholarly books).

Other considerations:

• authors not stated or qualified to write about the topic
• there may be a commercial interest
• be aware that information can be presented as fact, when it is actually opinion
• could information be biased by the interests of the organisation, rather than research or evidence?

Still have questions? Do you want to talk to an expert? Librarians are available.

Other sections of Achieve@Uni have information about Reading and Note-taking.