Evaluating Sources

Definition:  Determine the credibility and relevancy of information. 

The Association of College and Research Libraries includes evaluation of sources in the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education: The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically.  

Performance Indicator:  The information literate student articulates and applies criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources.

 Outcomes Include:

1. Examines and compares information from various sources in order to evaluate reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view or bias
2. Analyzes the structure and logic of supporting arguments or methods
3. Recognizes prejudice, deception, or manipulation
4. Recognizes the cultural, physical, or other context within which the information was created and understands the impact of context on interpreting the information 

Web Site Evaluation Criteria

 WWWs     .rtf    .pdf                                    
 WWWs Bookmark  (front) .jpg    (back) .jpg
 WWWs Checklist     .rtf   .pdf
 WWWs Checklist revised 2015 .rtf 
 WWWs Guide to Seeking Answers     .rtf    .pdf 
WWWs PowerPoint WWWs PowerPoint

Web Site Evaluation Activities & Tools

 Publishing VENN Diagram Activity     .rtf   .pdf
 WWWs Checklist Activity     .rtf    .pdf     
 WWWs Comic Strip Activity     .rtf    .pdf
 WWWs Role Play Activity     .rtf    .pdf   
 WWWs Song Activity     .rtf    .pdf           
 WWWs Story Activity     .rtf    .pdf     

Additional Source Evaluation Tools

Source Evaluation     .rtf    .pdf
 Magazine or Journal (link broken 1/17/19)

Evaluating Sources Project (ESP) Team Members

Jean Batson-Turner, Human Services
Jason Beyer, Philosophy
Mark Brown, English
Tara Coburn, English
Margie Francisco, Nursing
Courtney Klobucher, Art
Betsy Klopcic, Psychology
Adam Oldaker, English
Michelle Story, Computer
Frances Whaley, Library

Credits For Resources

Attribution for authorship

Please feel free to use and adapt our work for educational, non-commercial purposes, giving credit to Illinois Valley Community College Evaluating Sources Project Team.

Evaluating Sources Project 2010-2011 Credits

Team members

Jean Batson-Turner, Human Services
Jason Beyer, Philosophy
Mark Brown, English
Tara Coburn, English
Margie Francisco, Nursing
Courtney Klobucher, Art
Betsy Klopcic, Psychology
Adam Oldaker, English
Michelle Story, Computer
Frances Whaley, Library

Please feel free to use and adapt our work for educational, non-commercial purposes, giving credit to Illinois Valley Community College Evaluating Sources Project Team.