Determine if you have a reliable source. Assess the ABCs:

Author:

• Who wrote it? What is this person’s expertise or authority on the subject?

Audience: 

• Who was the info created for? 

Bias: 

• Why was this information published?

• What is the point of view or purpose of the publisher/author? Have you looked the publication/ organization up online? (Wikipedia can be a good source for this!)

• Do you think it impacts what information is presented and what information is omitted?

Content: 

• What kind of information is included? Is it in depth or superficial?

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it intended to inform you about something? To educate you? To sell you something? To entertain you?

Credibility:

• How do you know the information is accurate? Have you confirmed the claims in other sources? Can you trace claims back to the original? 

Currency:

• Is this information source current enough for your purposes?

Download the checklist.

You can use it to critically assess information - in your academic work and in your life!

TOPIC: Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus

Assess and compare the two Web sites below: 

Both are on the subject of Green Tea