1. Evaluation of Sources
PSYCH 111
Spring 2017

2. memorable acronym
Currency
Reliability
Authority
Purpose

3. Currency How recent is the information?
How recently has the website been updated?
Is it current enough for your topic?

4. Currency Timeline
Currency is particularly important when your research:
Involves current events
Focuses on topics that require current data and theory
Focuses on a particular historical era or event

5. Reliability What kind of information is included in the resource?
Is content of the resource primarily opinion?
Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

6. Reliability Examples

7. Reliability of Website Domains
.edu, it is most likely an educational institution and a reliable site. Be aware of political bias.
.gov, it is most likely a reliable government website. These sites usually provide good sources for statistics and objective reports.
.org, it is usually a non-profit organization. These sources vary in being good or poor sources of information
Example 1 Example 2
.com, it is likely a commercial site or opinion based site

8. Authority Who is the creator or author and what are their credentials?
Who is the publisher or sponsor and are they reputable?
What is the publisher’s interest (if any) in this information?

9. Finding Author Credentials
//search.proquest.com/docview/ ?accountid=10244

10. Types of Sources

11. Purpose/Point of view Is this fact or opinion?
The creator/author trying to sell you something?
Is it biased?

12. News and Biases

13. Purpose examples https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/topics. html