Questions to answer in this step:
Which sources do I want to use for my project?
What information do I need to record from each source?
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Part 1: Currency The timeliness of the information |
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When was the information published or posted? |
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Has the information been revised or updated? |
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Is the information current or out-of date for your topic? |
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Are the links functional? |
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Part 2: Relevance The importance of the information for your needs |
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Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? |
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Who is the intended audience? |
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Is the information at an appropriate level? |
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Have you looked at a variety of sources before choosing this one? |
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Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper? |
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Part 3:Authority The source of the information |
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Who is the author, publisher, source, and/or sponsor of the site? |
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Are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations given? What are they? |
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What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic? |
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What is the domain name for the URL? |
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Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address for the author or site administrator? |
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Part 4: Accuracy The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content |
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Where does the information come from? |
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Is the information supported by evidence? |
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Has the information been reviewed or refereed? |
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Can you verify any of the information in another source? |
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Does the language or tone seem biased or is it free of emotion? |
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Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors? |
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Part 5: Purpose The reason the information exists |
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What is the purpose of the information? |
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Do the authors or sponsors of the site make their intentions or purpose clear? |
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Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda? |
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Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? |
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Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases? |