Evaluate Your Sources

Consider these criteria (with guiding questions below) when evaluating your sources:

• Accuracy
  • Are there noticeable errors?
  • Is data clearly labeled?
  • If information is provided from other sources, are those sources cited so that you could look for them?
  • If the author makes conclusions, are they based on evidence?  
• Authority
  • Can you identify the author?
  • Are their levels of education, experience or expertise clearly presented?
  • How was the information obtained? Is it based on experience and observation, opinion, or research?   
• Coverage
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • How can you tell?
  • How does that influence this source?
  • Is this source comprehensive? If not, what information does it lack?
  • Is there supporting evidence provided, such as charts, maps, graphs, photos, documents? Would this be a better source if there were?
• Currency
  • Can you determine how old (or new) the information is?
  • Does the age of the information affect its usefulness?
  • Is there a difference between the age of your source and the age of the information your source contains?   
• Objectivity
  • Why was this information produced? Is there a "hidden agenda" or motive?
  • Does the author deal with both positive and negative evidence? Do they seriously consider more than one side of an issue?
  • Does the author justify their conclusions or ask you to accept them on faith?

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