SWITCH Information Literacy Tutorials Home
Evaluating Information tutorial
Why Evaluate Information?
Audience
Scope & Coverage
Timeliness
Authority
Accuracy
Objectivity & Bias
Using and Evaluating Web Information
Evaluation Checklists
Glossary
Quiz
Tutorial Home

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.

TOPCAT Record
TOPCAT RECORD (click image to enlarge)

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
Back Forward