Criteria For Evaluating Your Sources

• Who is the author?
• What are the author's qualifications?
• For online sources, is there a link to the author's email address to obtain information about the author?
• For online sources, note the domain name in the URL (.gov, .edu, .com, .net, .org, .ca) to assist you in determining possible bias.
• For online sources, is there is an "About Us" link?
  • What does the "About Us" link tell you?

Accuracy:

• For an online source, how many of the statements of fact at this site can you verify at another site or print source?
• Are there obvious errors of grammar, usage, spelling, etc?
• Does the author provide his or her sources?

Objectivity:

• Is any biased language used?
• Does the site/source present both sides of issues?
• Does the site/source exaggerate or promote one side of an issue or cause?

Currency:

• What is the copyright date of the site/source?
• For an online source, when was the site last updated?
• Is the information on the page current?

Content:

• Is the information useful or relevant for your purpose?
• Does the information provide insight and understanding to your research question?
• Would information somewhere else have been different or better?
• Did the information lead you to other sources that were useful?

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