English 001 A PUENTE (Huerta): Welcome/Bienvenidos!: Evaluating Information Sources

The Library has also created tutorials that give you tips on E-Mailing and printing articles successfully.  Take both of them so you can learn how to save money while getting your articles!  You will need Flash to view.

How to Email Articles From Databases

Save Money Printing from Databases

Scholarly Journal

Purpose -  report on original research or experimentation

Length - longer, in-depth analysis

Authors - expert or scholar in discipline, name and credentials provided

Language/Audience - jargon of discipline for scholarly readers

Format/Structure - serious look, structure (abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion), always cite sources

Evaluation - reviewed and evaluated by subject experts and editors

Popular Magazine Articles

Purpose -  to entertain, to sell products, to promote a particular viewpoint

Length - short, broad overview, litle depth

Authors - staff writer/journalist, name and credentials often not provided

Language/Audience - simple language, general readers

Format/Structure - slick, attractive appearance, not a specific format, does NOT cite sources, lots of graphics

Evaluation - not evaluated by subject experts or editors

Evaluating Websites:  Applying the CRAAP Test
(Borrowed from   Library - California State University, Chico)

Currency: The timeliness of the information.

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
• Are the links functional?
• This article uses outdated information: https://www.vegsource.com/harris/b_cancer.htm

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs. 

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too basic or too advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
• This site has good information, but the it is not relevant: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/adventure_pass/weird-but-true/freaky-food/#WBT1600x90048.png

Authority: The source of the information.

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?  Examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
• This site appears legitimate but we cannot be sure about the source:  https://healthylongevity.blogspot.com/2014/02/death-by-veggiephobia.html

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.

• 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 typographical errors? 
• This site cites data and statistics with questionable validity: https://bragg.com/healthinfo/fluoridefacts.html

Purpose: The reason the information exists. 

• 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?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
• Look at the funding and copyright information at the bottom of this website: https://www.beefnutrition.org/

To access databases off campus, you enter your W number as your username (begin with a CAPITAL W).  Your password is your six digit Class-WEB PIN.

Tutorial on How to Login Off Campus and what to do if your PIN does not work