This is not where the librarian tells you that books are databases are your only source of information. The "right" source depends on the question and your purpose.
Shopping for a car? Third party reviews, neighbors, and co-workers can be excellent sources of information. Want to find the best treatment for your patient? You will want to consult professionals.
You may get different information on the best local restaurant from a hotel concierge vs. a man on the street. Both can be good sources, but they each have different opinions and biases.
Luckily, the same skills apply whether you're shopping for a good pair of boots from Amazon or the latest research on preventative medicine.
Asking the concierge vs. man on the street
Evaluating your sources
WHO (Authority)
Who is providing the content? Why should I trust them? Who are their affiliates, who do they link to? Are those biased, questionable, or credible sources?
Hint: Look for the authors, find the About Us page, and Google them. What else have they written? What credentials do they have? Are they a political pundit, think tank, or a respected, objective research firm?
WHY (Purpose)
What is the purpose of this site or article? Are they selling something, fundraising, or informing? Who is the intended audience? The average consumer, or other experts in the field?
Hint: Look at the About Us or Mission Statement. Also, is the language dramatic or politically biased (pro-choice vs. pro-abortion)?
WHAT (Content)
What information is being conveyed? What language is being used? Is there a detectable bias (gun control vs. gun violence prevention, pro-life vs. anti-abortion)? Is the information broad or narrowed and focused?
Hint: Ads indicate the site's commercial purpose and may not be appropriate for research.
CURRENCY (Up-to-Date)
How recently was this article written or website updated? Does the information seem current or the best available at this time? Is the information cited from credible sources or self-contained?
Hint: Scholarly articles have clear publication dates, but websites may have dates posted at the start or end of an article or at the bottom of the page. If you are unsure of the publication date, don't use it.
The BIG questions to ask yourself
Jorge Franganillo
Is it fresh caught or days old? If it smells fishy, move on!
More detailed questions and tips can be found at Berkeley's guide.
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