Why evaluate sources?

Just because it’s written doesn’t mean it’s good…

Evaluating InformationToday, anyone who has the necessary skills can find a wealth of information on almost any topic.

Evaluating Information

The challenge is to sift through a huge amount of information and identify sources that are..

reliable and appropriate.

Evaluating Information

Whether you find information in books, magazines, on the Internet, or on TV, you cannot assume it is reliable.

Evaluating InformationThe researcher is responsible for evaluating information and judging its quality.

Evaluating InformationUse the following points to consider when evaluating any information source.

WEBSITE ADDRESS

Point #1:

Website AddressLook at the website address first – the

address can tell you lots about the source

www.urasucker4buying-this.com

www.rip-u-off.com

www.hot-n-naked.com

Website AddressLook at the address!

.edu = college/university.gov = U.S. government site.com = commercial site.org = Organization/group.mil = a U.S. military site.net = a network of computers.k12.us = public school

Website Address

The best sites for reliable information are:

◦.edu◦.gov◦.mil

Website AddressLook at the address!

.edu = college/university.gov = U.S. government site.com = commercial site.org = Organization/group.mil = a U.S. military site.net = a network of computers

Website Address: .edu.edu = Educational (university)

sites. We’d like to think these are among the most reliable of sites. ◦But individual (and sometimes strange)

students and professors can have their own personal pages under this domain, so you should still check the facts to ensure accuracy.

Point #2: Author

Author - No Name?

Websites are not always created by experts!

Author - No Name?

If you cannot find anyone’s NAME on the website, that’s a big RED FLAG

Author - No Name?

Sometimes questionable internet sources do not give the identity or credentials of the author or producer.

Author - No Name?

If you have a source with NO NAME or CORRESPONDING ORGANIZATION, do not use that source!

No way am I putting my name on THAT!!

AuthorIdentify the author(s)

A PERSONAn ORGANIZATION

Author A PERSON

A PERSON◦What are his/her credentials?◦Does he/she have sufficient expertise

to speak on the subject?◦Author's occupation / position?◦Author’s education? ◦Author’s affiliation with a known

institution or organization?

Author:An ORGANIZATION

An ORGANIZATION ◦Who are the leaders? ◦What is the mission of the organization?◦Is it a national or international

institution?◦What is its membership?◦Is it endorsed by or affiliated with other

organizations?◦Does it have a “parent” organization?

Author An ORGANIZATION

An ORGANIZATION ◦Check the organization's home page to

make sure it has a postal address and phone number available. If it does not, the site is probably not a credible source.

Look for any advertising on the site – ads can reveal what’s important to the organization

Look at the source to see if it tells you anything about the author's credentials. ◦“About us”◦“About the author”◦“Author Bio”◦“Mission Statement”◦“Who we are”

Author:How to Verify

Use a search engine (such as Google or Yahoo) to find information about the author(s) this is one good use for general search engines

Do a “Who is” search at www.whois.net to determine the website’s registered domain

Author:How to Verify

TIMELINESS

Point #3:

TimelinessWhen was the information

published?◦When was it last updated?

Is the date of publication important to the subject matter?

TimelinessHow can I find out?

Look at the date of publication or last update.

Determine whether it is important to use current sources for the subject.

TimelinessIn fields such as medicine, science,

business, technology, and most social sciences, currency of information is important.

(no older than 3 years!)

Timeliness

In fields such as history and literature, older materials may be just as valuable as newer ones.

So Cleo… what’s new with you?

Not too much Will…

DOCUMENTATION

Point #4:

DocumentationAre the links relevant and appropriate

for the site? ◦Do the links point inward, outward,

or both?

Link Link

Link Link

Link

Link

Inward links Outward links

DocumentationDoes the author refer to

other works?Does the source have a

works cited/bibliography?

DocumentationCan you find any cases where the

author has plagiarized other sources? ◦In other words, has the author used

words or ideas without properly citing them, so as to pass them off as original ideas?

DocumentationHow can I find out?

Does the author support his or her statements with data or references to research?

Look for a link to a bibliography or list of references.

DocumentationLots of info but NO SOURCES listed?

No sources… How can that be?

DocumentationNO SOURCES listed?

A legitimate site would not plagiarize. I usually look for another site that has sources listed.

DocumentationSources:

Anderson, David. "4 Kew Gardens Residents Testify To Seeing Woman Slain on Street", June 10, 1964, "Moseley Recalls 3 Queens Killings", June 11, 1964, "Moseley Gets Chair; Verdict Is Cheered", June 16, 1964, The New York Times.

Baron, Robert A. and Byrne, Donn (1997) Social Psychology. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Delfiner, Rita. "Kitty Left at Death's Door", November 16, 2001, The New York Post

DeStefano, Anthony and Hurtado, Patricia. "Dredging the Past; Kitty Genovese Convict Takes Stand", July 25, 1995, Newsday.

Dorman, Michael. "The Killing of Kitty Genovese", June 10, 1998, Newsday.

Greenburg, Joel, "Why Do Some People Turn Away From Others in Trouble?" July 14, 1981, The New York Times.

Mayer, Robert. "Moseley Convicted of Barmaid Slaying", June 12, 1964, Newsday.

 Milgram, Stanley and Hollander, Paul. "The Murder They Heard". The Nation, June 15, 1964, Volume 198, No. 25.

Look for a link to sources on any website

PURPOSE

Point #5:

PurposeWhy was the source/site created?

◦To inform?◦To persuade?◦To present opinions?◦To report research?◦To sell a product?

PurposeFor what audience is it intended?

What does the author assume the user already knows about the topic of the site?

Based on your answer to the last question, should this site be of greatest interest to the general user, the enthusiast, or the professional?

Purpose

How can I find out? Read the source

you are evaluating. Determine whether

the source is published by an organization with a particular purpose.

PurposeDetermine whether the source

attempts to sell a product or promote a particular point of view. (If so, the site is biased.)

Also, see if it presents a balanced view.

PurposeIs the site/article supposed to be

educational or entertaining? How in-depth is the information? What level of intellect/education is

required to understand the information?

PurposeIs it popular or scholarly?

Determine whether the material is scholarly or popular using the list of criteria on the next slide…

Purpose

Scholarly PopularLENGTH Longer articles, providing

in-depth analysis of topicsShorter articles, providing broader overviews of topics

AUTHOR Author usually an expert or specialist in the field - name and credentials always provided.

Author usually a staff writer or journalist - name and credentials may not be provided.

AUDIENCE Written for scholarly readers: professors, researchers or students.

Written in non-technical language for anyone to understand.

SOURCES A bibliography , works cited, and/or footnotes are always provided to document research thoroughly.

A bibliography is usually not provided, although names of reports or references may be mentioned in the text.

Scholarly Journals vs. Popular Magazine Articles

Source: http://lib.utsa.edu/Research/Subject/scholarlyguide.html

PurposeHow unique is the

information? ◦What other resources (print & non-print) are available on the topic?

◦How comprehensive is this site?

Evaluate sources carefully!End of presentation