LSU Libraries - The Research Process

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Clearly define your topic
Collect/find information
Evaluate the information you find
Use and/or do something with the information
Use the information ethically and legally

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3. Evaluate the information you find

Once you have found some information, you must decide if it answers your question? Does it "meet your information need?" Is the information valid? What type of source is it coming from, and can you believe it? In other words, you need to evaluate it. Here are some guidelines

Authority: Where did the information come from? Did it come from an authority in the field? Is the publisher a reputable publisher?
Reliability: How reliable is this information source? Can you trust and believe it? Does the information seem accurate and is it well documented?
Currency: How old is this information? Is there newer information available?
Scope: Is the information complete or is it just a summary of another work? What level is the information? Who is the intended audience for the material?
Relevancy: Does the information source answer your questions? Does it "fill your information need?"

For more information on Evaluation, see the Evaluation of Information Sources Tutorials:

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 29-Aug-2007 16:46:56 CDT