The ability to evaluate information is an essential skill that everyone needs. This will ensure that you find the best quality information that meets your specific needs. This skill requires time and critical evaluation to find accurate, documented information. This page offers information on how to critically evaluate information.
When evaluating your sources look for the following elements:
Evaluating Your Sources: This short video from UNC University Libraries provides information on how to evaluate books, articles, and websites.
Discipline |
Primary Source |
Secondary Source |
History |
Slave diary |
Book about the underground railroad |
Art |
Original artwork created by an artist |
Article critiquing the piece of art |
Literature |
Original poem written by a poet |
Essay on a particular genre of poetry |
Political Science |
Treaty between two governments |
Essay on Native American land rights in the US |
Science or Social Sciences |
Report of an original experiment |
Review of several studies on the same topic |
Theatre |
Videotape of a performance |
Biography of a playwright |
From Bowling Green State University.