Activity 2.1 - Evaluating Sources
Which author is the most authoritative on the subject? Which source is the most reliable? Most current? Do you have any sources which are questionable?
Authority = expertise of the author(s) (Answer for plural authors in the following questions as necessary.) | |
Who is the author (or sponsor)? | |
What are the author’s credentials (profession, # of publications on this topic, memberships, previous research, other)? | |
Do these credentials give the author authority to present information on this topic? | Yes / No |
Objectivity = balanced, unbiased information (“No” answers are best.) | |
Could the author’s views be affected by his/her background, prejudices, memberships, etc.? | Yes / No |
Does the author have something to gain from particular results or viewpoints? | Yes / No |
Is the information published in a source known for a bias for/against certain opinions? | Yes / No |
Is the objectivity of the information changed by what is included or left out? | Yes / No |
Are strong, value- or emotion-laden words used? | Yes / No |
Currency = recent, up-to-date information (“No” answers are best.) | |
When was the source published? | |
Would recent information be more accurate? | Yes / No |
Does the age of this source affect its reliability or has this field changed in recent years? | Yes / No |
Reliability = confidence in the truth of the information | |
Who is the responsible body for publishing this source? (professional org. or private, etc.) | |
Do you believe the information accurate, current, and unbiased? (Why?) | Yes / No |