evaluate information before you use it as a source! make sure information is relevant, appropriate...
TRANSCRIPT
Evaluate information before you use it as a source!
Make sure information is relevant, appropriate detailed, current, from someone that is an authority and unbiased.
™ A mnemonic acronym for information evaluationCreated by Karen M. Christensson, M.S. Library Media Education
• Am I wasting my time looking at this?
• Does this have anything to do with what I’m doing?
• Am I on the right track to find what I’m looking for?
• Am I using the right search terms?
• Should I be looking at this?
• Does this have anything to do with what I’m doing?
• How much information do I need?
• Is this information really helpful, or is it “fluff”?
• LOOK AT THE DETAILS!
• Are there links to help me find out more information?
• Did the author cite sources?
• How old is this information?
• Is there newer, better information out there on my topic?
• Do I want the newest “best” information available ?
• When was the page written or last updated?
• Who wrote this information? What are their qualifications?
• Are they an expert? Says who? Google them to make sure!
• Is there an email address so you can ask questions?
• Is the information accurate and believable?
• You don’t want to look like a fool for using bad information!
• Why was this information written? Is this written to try and sell me something? Convince me of something? Inform me of something?
• Is the author in favor or against my topic?
• LOOK FOR CLUES!
• Website name/website suffix
• Advertising (if any)
Bias isn’t a
lways bad…when you know it’
s bias!
What can the URL tell you?
Uniform Resource Locator.Com – commercial organization/business
.Edu – College or University (SC.edu)
.Org – non-profit organization (schools)
.Gov – US Government or organization
.Net – Network provider (Earthlink.net)
.Mil – US Military (Army,Navy,Marines,etc)
.Biz – commercial
.Eu – websites in European Union
And many others!
Bibliography
Beck, Susan A. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, or, why it's a good idea to evaluate web resources." New Mexico State University Library Instruction Program. 09 Aug. 2007. New Mexico State University. 18 Jan 2008 <http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html>.
Christensson, Karen. "RADCAB- Your Vehicle for Information Evaluation." 22 Oct. 2007. RADCAB.com. 17 Jan. 2008 <http://www.radcab.com>.
O'Neill, Ann B.. "Trash or Treasure? How to Evaluate Internet Resources." Information Literacy Skills used in BCPS Research Modules. 16 Oct. 2002. Baltimore County Public Library. 18 Jan. 2007 <http://www.bcpl.net/~sullivan/modules/tips/eval.html>.