Evaluating Sources Can Be a Walk in the PAARC

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it. But is it accurate and reliable? You will have to determine this for yourself, and the PAARC Test can help. This list of questions does not necessarily include everything you will need to know. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.

Directions: Use your research questions to search for two sources about your topic. Review the sources. Use the PAARC Test questions for each of the sources and decide whether or not these sources are credible.

Purpose: The reason the information exists.

●What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

● Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

● Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content.

●Where does the information come from?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Is the information supported by evidence?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Has the information been reviewed or refereed?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

● Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Are there obvious errors (spelling, grammar, etc.)?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

Authority: The source of the information.

●Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given? If yes, what are they?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

● Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

examples: .com .edu .gov .org

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs

●Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

● Who is the intended audience?

●Source 1: ______

●Source 2:______

● Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

●Source 1: ______

●Source 2:______

●Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

Currency: The timeliness of the information

● When was the information published or posted?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

● Has the information been revised or updated?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

●Are the links functional?

  1. Source 1: ______
  2. Source 2:______

Was this search a walk in the PAARC?

Did Source 1 pass the PAARC Test? Explain.______

Did Source 2 pass the PAARC Test? Explain.______

NEXT STEP:

What do you do with a source that is credible?______

What do you do with a source that is not credible?______

Scholarly Journals, Professional and Trade Publications, and Popular Magazines Distinguishing Between Types of Publications

Scholarly Journals / Professional/Trade Publications / Popular/General Interest Magazines
Purpose / Report original research or theories to advance knowledge / Provide practical information for members of a profession, industry, or organization: news, trends, products, research summaries / Provide information, news, opinions, entertainment to the general public
Writing Style / Uses specialized vocabulary or jargon. Requires prior training or subject expertise to understand. / Uses specialized vocabulary or jargon. Requires prior training or subject expertise to understand. / Uses vocabulary understood by the general public, including those with an upper elementary education
References / Bibliography / Documentation of sources, quotes, facts, and ideas is required. Must be cited in footnotes or a bibliography. / Documentation of sources not required, though there are sometimes brief bibliographies of further readings / Documentation of sources is not required and is rare
Advertisements / Few, if any, advertisements / Moderate number of advertisements targeted to the interests of the members of a profession, industry, or organization / Large number of advertisements for a wide variety of products that appeal to the diverse needs of the general population
Authors / Scholars or researchers. Academic credentials, degrees, and/or affiliation are almost always provided. / Journalists or members of the profession, industry, or organization / Journalists