Some Criteria for Evaluating Information

RELEVANCY/CONTENT

• Does the work meet your research needs or purpose?
• Is the subject adequately covered?
• If other sources are referenced, are they accurately cited?

AUTHORITY/REPUTATION

• Who are the author/editor/sponsoring body/publisher associated with the work?
• Are their qualifications or credentials listed?
• Do you have any reason to trust or distrust them?
• If the resource is a web site, is it linked to by reputable sources?
• Is this article heavily cited?
• Does this journal have “impact factor”? How does the impact factor compare with similar journals?

ACCURACY/RELIABILITY

• Are opinion and fact clearly delineated?
• Are the sources for any factual information attributed?
• Can the facts be verified in another source?
• How does this information compare with other sources of information on this topic?
• How was this information produced? Was it reviewed? How and by whom?

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVITY

• What is the purpose of this site/work? Does it argue a position, sell a product, inform readers?
• Are the goals and/or aims of the work clearly stated?
• If objectivity is important, is the information presented in an objective manner?
• Is a particular point of view being presented?
• Is there a bias, either explicit or implied?
• Is the information presented free of advertising? If there is advertising, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content?

CURRENCY

• When was the work produced?
• When was it last revised or updated?
• Is any information outdated? If so,
• Is it important or useful from an historical viewpoint?

ECONOMICS & ETHICS

• Who paid for developing this content? For the publishing or web hosting?
• What restrictions are there on how you may use this information?
• Is the information subject to copyright or a license agreement?
• Is it free or fee-based?
• Does use of this information have privacy, security, ownership, or other ethics-related components?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Adapted by Occidental College Librarians John Dobbins and Marsha Schnirring from “Six Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages” – CSU, Fullerton (8/31/98). Cox, Bednar, Housewright, Hickok, Tian. [Their adaptation (with permission) from: Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching Undergrads Web Evaluation: A guide for Library Instruction " College and Research Libraries News 59 (July/August 1998): 522-523.

Return to Top