Think Like a Journalist
The basic rules for evaluating a source for quality are the same as the "5 W's" of journalism: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
Who produced the document, image, video, sound file, etc. and what do you know about them, their credentials, and their motives?
What is the factual or emotional content of the source and does it reflect reality?
When was it produced and does that time frame alter its potential usefulness?
Where was it published and does that publisher evaluate sources before publishing them? Does the place of publication reflect on the competence or impartiality of the source? Is this a re-publication and, if so, where was it originally published?
Why was the item produced and published? To educate? To influence? To sell something? To promote the creator?
Peer Review in 3 Minutes
Information Cycle
Created by Molly Fair, UR Boatwright Library, September 2021
Publication Characteristics: Scholarly to Popular
- Scholarly vs. PopularYale College Writing Center.
- Distinguishing Scholarly Journals from Other PeriodicalsCornell University Library - provides useful breakdown of periodical sources for evaluation: scholarly, substantive news/general interest, popular, sensational.
- Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University Library)Ten things to look for when you evaluate an information source.
Evaluating Resources -- More Information:
- Evaluating Sources: Using the RADAR Framework (Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University)Rationale, Authority, Date, Accuracy, Relevance
