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HUM 102: Introduction to the Humanities (Cady): Evaluating Resources

Questions to ask yourself

  • WHAT
         Can you identify the type of information source you have found?
         Is it a book?
         An article?
         A web site?
         Something else? (social media posting?)
         What topics are covered?

 

  • WHY
          What is the purpose of the information source?
          Who is the intended audience?
          Is it meant to inform?
          To persuade?
          To teach?
          To report the findings of some original research?
          To entertain?

 

  • HOW
         How does it compare to other items you have found?

     What are the research methods, if any, employed in the source?
     Does the author cite other research? Is there a bibliography? Footnotes?
     Have other scholars cited the information source?
     Does the work succeed?

     How is it useful to me or others?

 

  • WHO
        Who is the author?
        What are the author’s credentials?

    What are the author’s affiliations?
    What are the author’s goals & objectives?

 

  • WHEN

      When the information was created or last updated?

      Is the date important for the timeliness of the content?