It is your responsibility as a researcher to critically evaluate the resources you refer to in your work and to cite resources correctly. 

When evaluating your resources, consider these factors: 

Accuracy 

• Is the information reliable, correct, and complete? Can this information be verified or confirmed in another reputable source?
• Is the information considered to be technically accurate?  Is the research method clearly stated?  How many studies were undertaken and in what time period(s)?  Is the research method appropriate? 
• Has the author’s research been replicated?  How does this work compare to other studies?  Have others disagreed with the methodology, results, or conclusions of this work?
• Is supporting evidence given?  Are references clearly documented in footnotes?  Is there a bibliography?  Does the author cite other scholarly or professional sources?  Is the supporting evidence credible?  Are references timely?

Authority 

• Is the information credible and authoritative? 

• What are the credentials (education, experience, institutional affiliations, awards) and reputation of the author?

• In what sort of publication does this information appear?  How reputable is this source?  Do the author and publisher or website have a reputation for producing high quality information?  Is the publication juried, peer reviewed, refereed, or carefully edited? 

• Do others cite this work to support their research?

Objectivity 

• Is the information unbiased, impartial, non-prejudicial?  

• What is the author’s point of view?  Is the author objective, or does s/he have a political, financial, or social agenda?  What are the author’s underlying assumptions?  Can you discern an authorial bias or an editorial stance?

• Who sponsored the research?  Does the funding source, site of the research, or the publisher suggest a political, financial, or social agenda?

• Who benefits from the author’s arguments and/or conclusions?

Currency 

• Is the information up-to-date and timely? How old is the information? What is the date of publication?

• Is the time period in which the information was generated appropriate to your information need?

Coverage 

• What is the scope of the work?  

• What is the depth of coverage? 

• Who is the intended audience?  Are the style and vocabulary of the work appropriate for the intended audience and purpose? 

• Are the scope, depth, and intended audience appropriate to college-level research?

How to Evaluate the Information Sources You Find presents an overview of the Critical Evaluation Process from the Olin*Kroch*Uris Libraries of Cornell University

For evaluating Internet resources, consult these web resources:

• Evaluation Criteria--A checklist of criteria for evaluating Web resources from Susan Beck's The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources