Evaluating Information

Whether your source is a book, journal article, online or on paper, you should always evaluate it in relation to your own particular study and the wider academic community in general.

Ask yourself:

• Is this relevant to my essay title, seminar presentation etc?
• How current are the views expressed here? (When was it written)?
• How reliable is the information? Who is the author?
• How accurate is the information? Is it based on sound research? Is it clear where the data has come from, or what the opinion is based upon?

You may find the pages on Critical Thinking helpful in this context.