OLMC Guides: Research Skills

The importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? 

• Does it fit your thesis or argument?

• If the paper is scholarly, does the research meet that standard?

• Does the resource answer a question or solve a problem?

• Does the information give clues for further research?

• Is this resource fresh and different from other information found in research process?

The source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?  

• What are the author's credentials or organisational affiliations?  

• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?  

• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?  Can they be contacted?

• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? For examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net   

The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content

• 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?   

 The reason the information exists

• 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?