Why Evaluate Information?

Audience

Scope & Coverage

Timeliness

Authority

Accuracy

Objectivity & Bias

Using & Evaluating Web Information

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Scope & Coverage

To what extent does a source cover a topic? Is the information broad in scope, or does it focus on one specific aspect of the subject? Does it address a topic from a certain timeframe and/or geographic area?

The sooner you clarify your research topic, the easier it will be to identify useful sources.

TIPS
  • Review the major sections or chapters
  • Determine the length
  • Read abstracts when they are available
  • Look at the subject headings assigned to the work using a catalog or database record