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Evaluating Sources
General evaluation guidelines
Page 1 of 1
Top 6 evaluation criteria
Before you use a book, article, or web site for your paper or speech, you should evaluate its usefulness for your particular research needs. Apply the following criteria to your source:
- Purpose: Why was the resource written: to inform, to present opinions, to report research or to sell a product? For what audience is it intended?
- Authority: What are the author's credentials? Are qualifications, experience, and/or institutional affiliation given?
- Accuracy: Is the information correct and free from errors?
- Timeliness: Is the information current enough or does it provide the proper historical context for your research needs?
- Coverage: Does the source cover the topic in depth, partially or is it a broad overview?
- Objectivity: Does the information show bias or does it present multiple viewpoints?
For more specific tips on evaluating sources, continue to Lesson 2.
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