Evaluate information before you use it as a source!

Make sure information is relevant, appropriate detailed, current, from someone that is an authority and unbiased.

™ A mnemonic acronym for information evaluationCreated by Karen M. Christensson, M.S. Library Media Education

• Am I wasting my time looking at this?

• Does this have anything to do with what I’m doing?

• Am I on the right track to find what I’m looking for?

• Am I using the right search terms?

• Should I be looking at this?

• Does this have anything to do with what I’m doing?

• How much information do I need?

• Is this information really helpful, or is it “fluff”?

• LOOK AT THE DETAILS!

• Are there links to help me find out more information?

• Did the author cite sources?

• How old is this information?

• Is there newer, better information out there on my topic?

• Do I want the newest “best” information available ?

• When was the page written or last updated?

• Who wrote this information? What are their qualifications?

• Are they an expert? Says who? Google them to make sure!

• Is there an email address so you can ask questions?

• Is the information accurate and believable?

• You don’t want to look like a fool for using bad information!

• Why was this information written? Is this written to try and sell me something? Convince me of something? Inform me of something?

• Is the author in favor or against my topic?

• LOOK FOR CLUES!

• Website name/website suffix

• Advertising (if any)

Bias isn’t a

lways bad…when you know it’

s bias!

What can the URL tell you?

Uniform Resource Locator.Com – commercial organization/business

.Edu – College or University (SC.edu)

.Org – non-profit organization (schools)

.Gov – US Government or organization

.Net – Network provider (Earthlink.net)

.Mil – US Military (Army,Navy,Marines,etc)

.Biz – commercial

.Eu – websites in European Union

And many others!

Bibliography

Beck, Susan A. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, or, why it's a good idea to evaluate web resources." New Mexico State University Library Instruction Program. 09 Aug. 2007. New Mexico State University. 18 Jan 2008 <http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html>.

Christensson, Karen. "RADCAB- Your Vehicle for Information Evaluation." 22 Oct. 2007. RADCAB.com. 17 Jan. 2008 <http://www.radcab.com>.

O'Neill, Ann B.. "Trash or Treasure? How to Evaluate Internet Resources." Information Literacy Skills used in BCPS Research Modules. 16 Oct. 2002. Baltimore County Public Library. 18 Jan. 2007 <http://www.bcpl.net/~sullivan/modules/tips/eval.html>.