When evaluating sources, there are several things to consider when determining how credible a source is. The following are questions that can help you think about the credibility of the sources found on the Internet.
As you examine set of data and information, ask yourself the classic “5Ws plus 1H” questions from the field of journalism: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How?
- Who is the data about? Who is interested in consuming this data?
- What can the data tell you?
- When was the data collected?
- Where was the data collected?
- Why was the data collected? Why is the data important?
- How was the data collected? How can the data be best visualized to answer all of these questions?
On the Internet, how did you find the page?
- Did you conduct the search through a search engine?
- Unlike databases, the accuracy and quality of information you get from a search engine may vary greatly. Inspect closely.
- Was the page recommended by faculty member or reliable source?
- Is it cited in scholarly or credible source?
- How you got to the source gives you a clue as to how credible you should consider the information to be.
Authority
- Can you identify the author in the article? Is the institutional affiliation offered?
- What are the author’s credentials? Are these relevant to information presented?
- Site sponsorship appropriate - .edu for research purposes
- *Remember anyone can register for a .org
- Is there contact information for the author (email, phone, mailing address?)
- *Availability for contact is a good sign of credible authority.
Scope
Anyone can put information on the Internet. There are no controls for accuracy. You need to use discriminating skills to assess information.
- Is the content relevant and useful?
- Does author represent more than one side of an argument? If author has a bias, is it identified?
- Does the page contain advertising? Is there a relationship of the advertising to page content?
- Example: The page argues that second-hand smoke is not harmful to human health. There is an advertisement for Marlboro on the page.
Purpose
- Intended audience is identifiable.
- Intent of information (to teach, persuade, sell) is obvious.
Accuracy
- How accurate is information, from what you can tell?
- Are sources of factual information cited?
- Is bibliography included?
- Compare to related sources to determine accuracy. Is information current/recent?
Currency
- When was information published?
- Includes date of copyright, broadcast or when published? When was last update?
- Are links current and functional?
Scholarly versus Popular
Scholarly:
- Is the source published by and for experts in the field?
- Did the article/information go through peer-review process to validate content, scholarly soundness, and academic value?
- Does the source have the author’s name and credentials?
- Is there a bibliography or footnotes citing where the author got his/her information?
- Scholarly sources rarely have advertisements
Popular:
- Is this geared toward general audience?
- Does this remind me of magazines or newspapers like: Scientific American, U.S. News & World Report?