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SC 105 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Home

Finding Credible Information Worksheet

Practice using library sources and the public web to find information on a topic.

Library Sources

Tools for searching the public web

The following are examples of the many web searching tools available for searching the public web.

Research Assistance

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Criteria for Evaluating Information

 
In-Class Activity:
You collaboratively brainstormed criteria for assessing information. Apply your criteria to these sources.
 
 
 
 
 
A classic method for assessing and evaluating information uses these four factors:
  • Authority
  • Timeliness
  • Bias
  • Intended audience

Authority:

  • Where was it published?
  • An academic journal
  • .gov, .edu, .org
  • What are the author's credentials?

Timeliness:

  • Do you need up-to-date resources?
  • Is your research historical?

Bias:

  • Facts or opinions
  • Identify an agenda

Intended audience:

  • Scholars, practitioners, students, or the general public?

 
How does your criteria compare?