Knowledge Base

Currency

Currency: The Timeliness of the information

Ask yourself the following questions as you review your source(s):

• When was the information published or posted?

• Has the information been revised or updated?

• Is this the most current version of the document?

• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?

• Are there any outdated or "dead" links? (online sources)

Relevance

Relevance: The Importance of the information

Ask yourself the following questions as you review your source(s):

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

• Who is the intended audience?

• Is the information at an appropriate level for your needs (not basic or too advanced)?

• Have you looked at a variety of sources before deciding this is the one you will use?

• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority

Authority: The Source of the information

Ask yourself the following questions as you review your source(s):

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?

• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?

• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?

• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

• If the material is copyright protected, is the name of the copyright holder given?

• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? (Examples: .com, .edu, .org, .net, .gc.ca, .on.ca)

Accuracy

Accuracy: The Reliability, Truthfulness, and Correctness of the content

Ask yourself the following questions as you review your source(s):

• Where does the information come from?

• Is the information supported by evidence?

• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?

• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?

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

• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

• If the statistical data is presented in graph or chart form, is it legible and clearly labelled?

Purpose

Purpose: The Reason the information exists

Ask yourself the following questions as you review your source(s):

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?

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

• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?

• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

• Does it acknowledge other perspectives or conflicting points of view?

• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?