CULT 29535: Education In A Democratic Society: Evaluating Sources

These checklists will guide you through the process of evaluation.

Locating information is only the first step in the research process. The next step is to evaluate the quality and the usefulness of what you find. The quality of your work rests on the credibility and authority of the sources you use to support it. 

Consider these factors in assessing your sources: 

• Authority
• Content
• Accuracy
• Timeliness/ currency
• Point of view/ bias

Reading critically is essential. Challenge all information including:

• The source of the data and how it is presented
• The limitations of the information gathering tools or strategies
• Underlying assumptions or biases
• The reasonableness of the conclusions.