Critically Evaluate Information
For college-level research, you'll want to consider using only the highest-quality information sources that you can find. Between the internet and SU’s library, the "best" information can depend on the assignment. Here are some ways to determine the best information sources to lend support to your own research. I prefer the SIFT method, but you also may find other methodologies like CRAAP or ACT-UP useful.
SIFT
The SIFT acronym stands for Stop, Investigate the Source, Find Better Coverage, and Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context.
- Stop
- The source you found seems great. Stop to take a moment to evaluate it.
- Investigate the source
- This is exactly as it seems. For example, if you found an article, what journal published it? Does it have a reputation, or is it difficult to find information about it? What about the author(s)? Typically, you can find a trail of their productivity and credentials that indicate experise. Use lateral reading in which you search out opinions of other reputable sources to know what they think of your source.
- Find better coverage
- Evaluate the source you found further by finding and comparing other sources on the topic. As a researcher, it always helps to explore multiple viewpoints on a topic to get a sense of the scholarly conversation that is taking place. When you do this, even quickly, you may come across an even better source than you initially discovered.
- Trace claims to the original context
- For scholarly works, we can think of "tracing claims" as verifying that the authors' conclusions stem directly from their results. Scholarly articles will typically share their claim in an introduction section at the top, an analysis of a review, research methods, and results, and then offer a conclusion based on these sections.
Evaluating Sources
There is a general timeline for how long it might take information to be published in a particular form after an event happens.
An Event Happens:
- The day of you may find information in television, radio, and internet.
- The day after you'll get newspaper articles.
- A week after you'll get popular magazine articles.
- Months after you'll get scholarly articles.
- A year after will find books and government publications published.
- Years after the event might show up in reference books.
Differences between scholarly and popular sources
Author
- Scholarly
- Can always tell who wrote it; the author is an expert in the field with available credentials.
- Popular
- Name or credentials may not be provided; has little to no expertise on the subject.
Audience
- Scholarly
- Written in jargon for other professionals in the field to understand.
- Popular
- Written in non-technical language anyone can understand.
Editor
- Scholarly
- Reviewed by a board of experts (peer review).
- Popular
- Reviewed not by experts in the field but by a staff editor.
Citations
- Scholarly
- Sources are referenced with in-text citations and a bibliography.
- Popular
- References to outside sources are rare and do not include a bilbiography.
Length
- Scholarly
- Longer articles with in-depth analysis, generally at least five pages long
- Popular
- Shorter articles with a broader topic focus.
Format
- Scholarly
- Clear sections like an abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion, and bibliography. May include illustrations that directly support the text like a table or graph.
- Popular
- Does not follow any particular structure. Images may be glossy color photographs or include advertisements.
The CRAAP Test for evaluating materials. This is adapted from "Applying the CRAAP Test" by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
Currency
- 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?
Relevancy
- 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 elementary 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?
Authority
- Who is the author, publisher, source, and/or sponsor?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
- Are the links functional?
Accuracy
- 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?
Purpose
- 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?
Consider the Source
Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.
Read Beyond
Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story?
Check the Author
Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?
Supporting Sources?
Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story.
Check the Date
Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events.
Is it a Joke?
If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.
Check your Biases
Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgment.
Ask the Experts
Ask a librarian or consult a fact-checking site.
This information is from IFLA or the The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions