STEM Academy | Fall 2020

Ask yourself:

• What are your information needs? (Formulate as questions)
• What types of sources might best address each of these questions?
• How important are the criteria for evaluating information to each of your questions?
• What's the best place to start looking for information?
• What are the best words and search features to use in your search?

[link to slides]

WHAT is it? 

• Journal article?

• Magazine/newspaper article?

• Book?

• Website?

• Video?

• Conference presentation?

• Social media post? etc.  

WHO is the intended audience? 

• Scholars/researchers? 

• Professionals/practitioners? 

• General public? 

• Demographics? 

WHY was this source created? What is its purpose? 

• To advance scholarship? 

• To guide people who are employed in this field? 

• For general education/enlightenment? 

• For entertainment? 

• To advocate for a political agenda? 

WHO created this source? (individuals or sponsoring organization)
Tip: For websites, look for an "About" page  

• Scholars/researchers? 

• Journalists? 

• Artists? 

• Fans/hobbyists? 

• Think tanks? 

• Lobbyists? 

• For-profit organization? 

• Non-profit organization? 

• Educational instituion? 

WHAT are the authors’/creators' credentials? Are they appropriate for the source’s nature and audience? 

• Faculty/researcher at an accredited college/university? 

• Degree/expertise in field? 

• Experience in field? 

• Affiliated with organization that has identifiable agenda? 

WHEN was the information created/published? 

• Is it important that the information you will be using is current? 

• How current does it need to be? 

HOW RELIABLE does the information appear to be?  

• Can claims be verified in other sources?  

• Are sources of information cited?  

• Is the source peer-reviewed?  

• Is there a reputable publisher or sponsoring organization behind the source?