Session 5: Evaluating Information Sources

Evaluating information is important in the research process because of the following except?

• sources vary in the levels of authority, accuracy and objectivity

• not all information is suitable for your paper

• all information available to us is reliable

• “Fake news” is widespread

Which of these questions is asked in evaluating information based on currency?

• Is the information at an appropriate level?

• What are the author’s qualification to write the topics?

• What is the purpose of information?

• When was the information published or posted?

Which of the following is a characteristic of a scholarly journal?

• It is written to relay information to the masses.

• It is usually written in simple, easy-to-understand language.

• It is intended for scholars and researchers.

• It features the lives and works of scholars.

What is the question you will ask when evaluating information based on authority?

• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?

• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotions?

• Has the author's credentials or organizational affiliations been identified?

• Is the information current/recent, or is it out of date?

Which of the following criterion in evaluating sources refers to the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information content?

• purpose

• accuracy

• authority

• relevance

_______________ is intended for a general audience of readers, they are written typically to entertain, inform, or persuade

• Trade Journal

• Popular Magazine

• Scholarly Journal

• Newspaper

Which of the criterion in evaluating sources refers to the appropriateness of the "information content" to your "information need'?

• accuracy

• relevance

• authority

• currency

Although generally written by experts, these source is not considered scholarly because they are not peer reviewed

• trade journals

• popular magazine

• scientific journals

• periodicals

This type of information source is peer-reviewed and contains reliable and valid findings with extensive references to sources.

• popular magazine

• trade journals

• scholarly journals

• scholarly & trade journals

This criteria differentiates scholarly, trade, and popular journal based on the formatting style and organization of the content of the information source.

• language

• graphics

• layout & organization

• content