| Item |
What to look for in books and periodicals |
What to look for in web sites |
| Currency |
- Do you require the most current information, historical information, or information over a period of time?
- If you are researching a topic that is currently in the news, you may want only the most recent information. If you are researching a historical event, you may want information written at the time of the event.
- For books: What is the copyright date on the reverse of the title page? Does it meet your needs? Is this the most recent edition?
- For periodicals: Does the publication date meet your needs?
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- Do you require the most current information, historical information, or information over a period of time?
- When was the Web site published or created? (look for a copyright date on the homepage)
- When was the site last updated or revised?
- Are the links up to date?
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| Authority |
- What are the author’s credentials and reputation?
- What other works on the subject has the author written?
- Is the author an expert or researcher in the field? A government agency? A journalist?
- Has the author been cited by others in your field? In other publications you’ve read?
- Did you check biographical sources such as Contemporary Authors and Biographical and Genealogical Master Index in the E-Resource List?
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- Who is supplying the information?
- Is it an educational institution (.edu or Extension)? A government agency (.gov)? A commercial supplier (.com)? A non-profit organization (.org)?
- Is the supplier a reputable organization? (look for an “About Us” link on the homepage)
- Is there an author or contact person named? What are the author’s credentials (see “What to look for in books and periodicals”)?
- Has this site been reviewed by experts or professional organizations?
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| Validity/Accuracy |
- If the information is not current, is it still accurate?
- Can the information be verified or supported by other sources? Do other sources report the same findings?
- Is evidence given to support the information?
- Are sources of factual information cited?
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- Are sources of information cited?
- Compared to other sources, is the information complete and accurate? Are the links also complete and accurate, or are there discrepancies?
- Is selection criteria provided for the links found in the web site?
- Does the site appear to be carefully edited, or are there typographical errors?
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| Audience |
- Who is the intended audience? Researchers or experts? Trade or professional members? The general public?
- Is the source appropriate for your needs, or is it too technical, advanced or elementary?
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- Is the site appropriate for your needs, or is it too technical or too elementary, or too full of jargon?
- Who is the intended audience? Experts or the general public?
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| Point of View (bias) |
- Does the source have a particular bias?
- Does it promote the ideas of a particular group–religious, political, etc.?
- Is the information objective or partial?
- Is it factual information or interpretations of facts?
- Are there assumptions and opinions stated?
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- Does the information appear to be filtered or is it free from bias?
- Could the organization sponsoring the site have a stake in how the information is presented?
- Is the site free of advertisements?
- Are various points of view, theories, techniques, or schools of thought offered?
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| Purpose/Context |
- Is it for academic purposes or entertainment?
- How closely does the book or journal relate to the purpose for which you need that information?
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- What is the purpose of the site or article?
- Is it to share new, scholarly research?
- is it to report developments in an evolving news story?
- Or is it to rant about a government conspiracy?
- How closely does the web site relate to the purpose for which you need that information?
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