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Evaluating
Information Resources
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PDF document]
Contents
Purpose of
Resource Evaluation
Not all information is equally
valuable for a specific purpose or completion of a specific project. Information from both print and non-print sources must be
carefully evaluated to determine its usefulness in completing a research
project or filling an information need. The World Wide Web is often
an important source of information for assignments and research papers,
and it is also important to develop skills in selection and critical
evaluation of the sites you visit.
Practicing this evaluation process
will keep your work focused, save you time, and eventually become
second nature. Also,
consider your purpose as you search for information - are you seeking
entertainment, opinion, or factual information from a credible source?
Consider the following questions
when gathering print, personal or Web resources:
Source and Authority
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Who
wrote, created or published the information?
-
Can
you clearly identify the credentials of the author or publisher?
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Is
the author or publisher of the web page affiliated with an established
institution or organization?
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Is
contact information for the author or producer provided?
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Can
you identify a probable bias of the author or organization?
-
Are
sources acknowledged, such as excerpted or reprinted articles?
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Can
the information be verified through bibliographies or footnotes?
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Scope, Content and Purpose
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What is the
scope or coverage of the information presented?
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How well
does the information address your topic?
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Is the resource
comprehensive, brief, or unique?
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What is the
purpose of the source or Web site - research, marketing, information,
a personal Web site, or advocacy for a specific cause? Is there
a bias that the authors are promoting?
-
Is
the material presented as original information, or is it a secondary
source?
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Timeliness and Currency
- When was the information published or
the Web page created?
- How current or up-to-date is the information?
- Is the Web page updated or revised on
a regular basis?
- Is the information timely or still valid
for your topic?
- Does the resource demonstrate currency
and stability by providing a contact person, e-mail address, and
regular site maintenance?
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Robert E. Kennedy Library
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA
Last Modified: 10/18/2001
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