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Evaluating Information

Relevance

Key Questions:

• Is the content appropriate for your research topic?
• Is information provided relevant to what you need?

Finding Answers:

• Check the table of contents, or read the preface or introduction of a book.
• Read the abstract and conclusion of an article, or scan its subheadings.

Quality/Reliability

Key Questions:

• Is the information provided by the work/article accurate and reliable?
• What assumptions does the author make?
• What are the bases of the author's conclusions?
• Does the author agree or disagree with other authors of the subject?

Finding Answers:

• Compare facts with other sources on the same topic.
• Check supporting facts of data.
• Look over the source's documentation and read some reviews of the source.

Authority

Key Questions:

• What is the reputation of the author? Is he/she an expert in the field?
• How do the authors cite the sources of their information?

Finding Answers:

• Read biographical sources to fine the credentials of an author.
• Check the bibliographies, appendices, or attachments of the source.

Date of Publication

Key Questions:

• When was the work/article published?
• What kind of resources was used for a current event topic?
• What resources were used for a historical research paper?

Finding Answers:

• Check the date of publication.
• Current event research: Check if the author(s) uses resources that are recent and reflect current attitudes.
  
• Historical research: Check if the author(s) use a variety of resources from different time periods including both primary and secondary resources for historical research paper.

Quantity

Key Questions:

• Have you found enough information to support your arguments?
• Does the author include a variety of viewpoints and materials?

Finding Answers:

• Check the amount of information you have gathered.
• Check issues discussed in the work/article.

Additional Resources

Key Questions:

• Does the source provide other leads?

Finding Answers:

• Check the documentation (i.e., footnotes, and bibliography).

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