Evaluating Resources


Evaluating Resources Introduction

When using information from websites or looking for new ones to use in assignments, make sure you use reliable, credible, and relevant sources.

Reliable -- I can count on it. Like a good friend!

Credible -- I can believe it to be true. Not a fake!

Relevant -- It matters. It’s what I need!

A reliable and credible information source is authoritative, accurate, objective, current and safe.

A relevant information source is on topic, useful, and readable.

Authority

Information sources must be authoritative. The authority of a source refers to whether or not the author of the information has very deep knowledge to speak or write on a topic. They are experts on their topic and we trust the information they provide. We can decide if the source is authoritative, when we think about the following questions:

  • Did an expert person or organization write the information? How do I know?

  • What is the reputation of the person or organization? Is the person or organization known for knowledge of their topic?

  • Look for an About Me or About Us section of the website to learn more about who has created the information and what their qualifications are. The Mission, Purpose, or Goals sections of the website may also offer more information about the authority of the person, organization, or company who sponsors the information.

  • National Geographic Society

Accuracy

Information sources must be accurate. The accuracy of a source refers to whether or not the information is correct. The information must be free from mistakes and typos. If an information source is accurate, it is reliable.

Objectivity

Information sources must be objective. The objectivity of a source refers to whether the source is balanced and fair. If it is not objective information, it is subjective or biased information. It should not be biased. Objective information is based upon observation of measurable facts. Biased information can be based on personal opinions, interpretations, points of view, emotions and judgment.

Think about the following questions:

  1. Is the author presenting one viewpoint or presenting multiple viewpoints about a topic? Presenting more than one point of view may allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions and be more fair and balanced.

Signal words to show more than one viewpoint:

on the other hand… regardless… nevertheless… then again… although...

however... despite… besides… different from… in spite of…

  • Does the author use facts or opinions to support their argument? Facts are statements that can be proven true while opinions express beliefs or feelings.

  • Is there advertising or graphics and images that present one viewpoint? If the advertising supports the point of view taken by the author it may be biased and not objective, meaning balanced and fair. Websites often have an advertising policy or set of guidelines about how it provides reviews or information. Look for these policies and guidelines.

  1. Is the language and tone of the source inflammatory or neutral? Inflammatory language uses words that appeal to emotion. It may attack or demean people. It may exaggerate. It tries to persuade the reader to a certain point of view rather than let the reader draw his or her own conclusions. Neutral language is objective language, meaning balanced and fair.

  • Negative Chromebook review on Amazon: “Piece of absolute garbage and I’ll never buy Asus again. I wish I could do a zero-star review. Out of the box...it crashes and restarts, over and over and OVER again.”

  • Negative Chromebook review on TechRadar: “The R11's minimalist design may not win any fashion shows, but behind that plain shell is a laptop destined to endure an entire day's work. It won't break the bank, thereby making flaws, like an iffy trackpad and barely-HD touch display, a little easier to swallow.”

  1. Look at the Mission, Purpose, Goals, or similar information sections of the website to learn more about the person, organization, or company who sponsors the information. Is their purpose to entertain, inform, or persuade? Entertainment sources are fun, jokes, or even spoofs. Information sources provide information but they also may try to persuade the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a particular action. Avoid these sources.

  1. If the author or organization is balanced and fair about the topic, it may be considered objective.

Currency

Information sources must be current. The currency of a source refers to the date the source was created and when it was last updated. Look for creation, editing, and revision dates on the website. If the information has not been updated recently, you may not be receiving current information. Old information may now be incorrect.

Safety

Information sources must be safe: A safe source refers to whether or not it will harm you or your device.

  • Does the source require you to give personal or family information to retrieve the information? Do not use this type of source.

  • Does the source require you to share photos, passwords, account information, email addresses and other personal identity information like your home address, phone number, or school ID number? Do not use these sources.

  • Does the source require you to download apps, extensions, or files you were not looking for? These sources may cause you to download viruses, adware or spyware causing harm to your devices.

Relevance

Information sources must be relevant. A relevant information source is on topic, useful, and readable. Think about the following questions:

  • Does the source have the information that I need or is it a repetition of information that I already have? Does the source have enough information?

  • Look closely at the source -- READ it. Is it focused and on topic?

  • Is it useful for a particular argument that you are trying to make?

  • Is the information source readable? Do I understand what I am reading? Is it too difficult? Is it too simple?