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Below is a list of points to consider about each piece of information you find.
Not all of the points will be applicable to every source or topic, and the relative importance of the criteria will vary depending on your field of study or individual topic, but they should all be considered.
| Criteria |
General Considerations |
Authority
|
Look at who wrote the piece.
- Can you find a name?
- Do you know anything about the person?
- Is the author an expert in the subject?
- Also consider the reputation of the publisher or sponsoring institution.
|
Objectivity
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Look at the presence of bias in the piece. - Can you tell why the piece was written?
- Does the author have an agenda or want to sell you something?
- Have both sides of the story been presented equally?
|
Currency
|
Look at the date when the piece was published or posted to the Internet.
- Is it recent enough for your topic?
|
Accuracy
|
Look at the content of the piece.
- Does it seem logical considering what else you know about your topic?
- Are there obvious spelling or typographical errors?
- Can you verify the facts in other sources?
- Have the author’s sources been provided so that you can verify them?
|
Coverage
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Look at the content of the piece.
- Has it been written at a level of depth appropriate for your topic and for a college-level course?
- Has the Canadian perspective been provided when appropriate (e.g., legal information or social policy)?
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