Consider the Source [1]

by David J. Rosen

Here are some questions to consider as you weigh the information
you gather in making an inquiry map.

1. Searching for information

A. To answer your question(s) do you need general or specific information?
If you need general information, an encyclopedia or magazine might be a good source. If you need specific information, you may need an expert or a specialized reference.

B. What kind of question are you trying to answer?
1) Is it concrete and factual? Can it be answered by a fact or set of facts or specific evidence?

2) Is it abstract, theoretical or spiritual?

3) Is it a question whose answers may vary depending on
the writer's or speaker's point of view or interpretation?

4) Is the question answerable? (Not all questions are.)

2. Evaluating Research Findings

A. What kind(s) of information source(s) have you found?
1) An individual whose response is based primarily on personal experience?

2) An expert?

3) An article or other writing in a publication?

* Popular magazine?

* Newspaper?

* Governmental publication?

* Scholarly publication?

4) A videotape, film, or television program

B. How current is the information?

C. Does the information source have a political or cultural bias or point of view? How objective is the source?

D. What is the reputation of the publication, television station, and/or program producer?

E. What are the writer's/author's/speaker's qualifications? Education? Experience? Position?

F. Was the written material reviewed for publication?

G. Who is the publication or program's intended audience? The general public? A well educated audience? Other special audience?

H. Is the information source objective and impartial? Is it intended to persuade the reader/audience?

I. Does the writing or program or individual cite sources? Is there documentation such as footnotes, credits, quotations, a bibliography? Are these citations of sources sufficient?

J. Is the writing or program based on original research such as a survey or experiment? Or is it a collection of information from other sources?

K. Are conclusions presented? Are they justified?

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[1] Based on a pamphlet entitled "EVALUATING INFORMATION: A BASIC CHECKLIST" developed by Hannelore Rader, Billie Reinhart and Gary Thompson, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Ohio, for the Association of College and Research Libraries, American Library Association. 1990. Available from ALA Graphics, American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL. 60611

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