Information Evaluation – Football EditionAugust 12, 2010Jessica Hagman, Ohio University Libraries

Why Evaluate Information?

It can be wrong!

And there can actually be consequences more serious than the annual Brett Favre retirementpalooza

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Retired?

Not retired?

Twitter messages by Minneapolis Star Tribune sports reporter @JuddZulgad

My Own Bias

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A Model for Evaluating Information

CurrencyReliabilityAuthorityPurpose

Currency

Is it important to have the most current information?

July 30

August 11

Reliability

Is the information from a reliable source?

Reliability and Anonymous Sources

http://inkstainedwretch.org/anonymous/outlet/espn

Reliability and Data

Is this reliable data? How did they find the participants? Is it a random sample?

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5452896

Reliability and Fantasy Data

Source: http://www.fflibrarian.com/2010/06/multi-year-results-for-accuracy-with-qb.html

Authority

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More on Authority What does the source of information

know about the topic? If it’s a reporter do they cover many

different areas or just one sport/division/team etc?

Where do they get their information? What is their experience answering this

type of question?

Point of View (aka Bias) Who benefits from the

release of this information?

Would the author have any reason to not reveal the whole truth?

With data, could the compiler’s point of view affect the data collection or analysis?

Activity Use the SportDiscus database to find an

article that supports your argument for who will be the best RB or QB in the NFL this year.

Find one web source (from ESPN, Si.com, NFL.com, team website, etc) that supports your argument.

Assess both sources using the CRAP model and be prepared to describe why your source supports your argument.