Campbell Hall

Ahmanson Library   

Judging Information:
Questions to Ask Yourself

 

When judging information in encyclopedias

        Is the topic covered in depth? How much depth does the encyclopedia article provide?

        Are the author's credentials listed?

        How long ago was the entry written?

        How useful did you find the encyclopedia article? 

        To what use did you put the information?

 

When judging information in books

        Does the book focus on my topic?

        How much of the book is devoted to my topic?

        Is the author an expert on my topic? How do you know?

        Does the author have an opinion about my topic? Does the author make that opinion clear in the book?

        How long ago was the book written?

        How useful did you find the book?

        To what use did you put the information?

 

When judging information from magazines

        Was the article written to inform or to entertain?

        Does the article contain facts that I can use in my report?

        Are any other useful sources cited in the article?

         How useful did you find the magazine?

        To what use did you put the information?

 

When judging information from newspapers

        Is the topic covered in depth?

        Are sources cited for the facts presented in the article?

        Did the newspaper publish any more stories about this topic?

         How useful did you find the newspaper article?

        To what use did you put the information?

 

When judging information on the World Wide Web

        Was this website designed to inform or entertain?

        What is the source of the information?

        Is the source reliable?

        Is the website updated regularly?        

         How useful did you find the website?

        To what use did you put the information?

 

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Adapted from Gale Group's Opposing Viewpoints database.