Page 88 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Unit 11: Evaluation of Information Sources in Social Science
Is the viewpoint of the author’s affiliation y Search the web for the organization’s web Notes
reflected in the message or content? site
y Organization’s (e.g., government, university, y Look in directories, e.g.
business, association) point of view on the The Encyclopedia of Associations
topic being discussed Research Centers Directory
y Organization’s mission and activities
y Advertising is clearly labelled
y Benefits to organization
Does the information appear to be valid and y Verify facts and statistics with a reliable
well-researched? source
y Reasonable assumptions and conclusions y Examine cited sources for authority and
y Arguments and conclusions supported by objectivity
evidence
y Opposing points of view addressed
y Opinions not disguised as facts
y Authoritative sources cited
To evaluate quality:
Ask the Questions Find Answers
Is the information well-organized? y Look at the headings to indicate structure
y Logical structure y Look for agreement among reviews
y Main points clearly presented Magazines for Libraries
y Main ideas unified by overarching idea Ulrich’s International Periodicals Direc-
y Text flows well (not choppy or stilted) tory
y Author’s argument is not repetitive Book reviews
Internet Scout Report
y Has the author used good grammar? Read carefully for errors
y Are there spelling or typographical errors?
Are the graphics (images, tables, charts, Consider other ways to present the
diagrams) appropriate and clearly presented? information
y Clearly labelled
y Descriptive title
y Understandable without explanatory text
Is the information complete and accurate? y Verify facts and statistics with a reliable
y Facts and results agree with your own source
knowledge of the subject y Examine cited sources for authority and
y Facts and results agree with those of other objectivity
specialists in the field
y Documents sources (a very important
indicator of quality)
y Describes methodology
y Addresses theories and facts that may negate
the main thesis
y Avoids questionable assumptions
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