LibGuides: ESL & ELL Research Guide: Evaluating Information

Why Evaluate

Critically evaluating information allows us to select the most useful sources--ones that are relevant and credible.
Identifying and using quality information sources will allow you to better understand your topic and will add credibility to your analyses and conclusions.

Your Research Project

Consider your research purpose.
- Academic projects and important decisions mandate careful evaluation of sources.
Compare sources.
Draw on your own knowledge.

Source Types

Identifying the type of source you are using helps you with its evaluation because different source types have different strengths and weaknesses.

Background information
An overview of a topic
Ideas on how to break down or narrow a broad topic
In-depth analysis
Comprehensive treatment of topic
Specific information on a topic (consult the table of contents or index to find specific information
Information may be dated

Overview of topic
Current information
information on popular culture
May not cite sources used in writing the article
May have more cursory coverage of a topic
Written for a general audience

In-depth information
Narrow in scope
Academic sources
Often report original research
Written by experts in the field
Fully and carefully cite their sources
Written for an educated or professional audience

For more information on source types consult the Source Types pages of the library's Research 101 guide.

Using Evaluation Criteria

Applying a set of standards to information sources will help you judge their credibility and relevancy.

Good research involves using multiple sources of information. In addition to applying the CRAAP criteria, compare the information you find with that in other sources.

Currency

Is the information up-to-date enough for my topic?

Relevance

Does the information pertain to my topic and cover it in enough depth to meet my needs?

Identifying a work's intended audience can help in determining its depth of coverage. Information for the general public will vary in depth. Information for children will be simple, while information aimed at professionals may require advanced training to understand.

Authority

Who is responsible for the content and what are their qualifications?

Accuracy

Is the information reliable and free from error?

Authority often impact accuracy. Experts and respected organizations strive to produce works with accurate information.

Is there support for the information given?

Evaluate accuracy in terms of your whole research project.

Compare information with what you know about the topic
Compare information with other sources

Purpose

Is the information presented without bias or is the bias acceptable for my purpose?

Why was the work created? Is its purpose to entertain, inform or explain, persuade, sell products or services, or a combination of these things? A work's purpose will influence what information is included and how it is presented. If a work is meant to persuade, the work's authors may exclude information from detracts from their case or place more emphasis on information that supports their arguments.