BIO 206L- Introductory Laboratory Experiments In Biology - Maas

SR Ranganathan is considered the father of library science. In 1931, he proposed 5 laws that are still taught today in library schools around the world. The third law is:

Every book has its reader 

We can expand this notion to modern sources and source types. Whether it's a blog, a web report, or a scientific article; each has its reader. Each source type also has a purpose and some resources are preferred for scholarly works and others are not. That doesn't mean that some sources are objectively less than or greater than others, just that for different use cases, you might consider using different types of literature. 

Consider the following use cases, and the depth of trustworthiness required for each:

• Sending a family member an article you found to share an idea.
• Using an article in a class project.
• Confirming information found in another source.
• Sharing a link you've found posted on social media.
• Getting started with a new topic for a research assignment.

Each of these uses requires a judgment call about trustworthiness. At the same time, this judgment will vary depending on your use. 

Use the criteria below to help you evaluate a source.  As you do, remember:

• Each criterion should be considered in the context of your topic or information need. For example, currency changes if you are working on a current event vs. a historical topic.
• Weigh all criteria when making your decision. For example, the information may appear accurate, but if the authority is suspect you may want to find a more authoritative site for your information.
• When in doubt about a source, talk about it with your professor or a librarian.

Criteria to consider:

1. Currency: When was the information published or last updated? Is it current enough for your topic?
2. Relevance: Is this the type of information you need (ex. a research study or scholarly article)? Is it related to your topic? Is it detailed enough to help you answer questions on your topic?
3. Authority: Who is the author or creator of the information (can be an individual or an organization)? Are they an expert on your topic? Has the source been peer reviewed? Who is the publisher? Are they reputable?
4. Accuracy: Is the information true? What information does the author cite or refer to?  Is this a research study with methods you can follow? Can you find this information anywhere else? Can you find evidence to back it up from another resource? Are studies mentioned but not cited (this would be something to check on)? Can you locate those studies?
5. Purpose/perspective: What is the purpose of the information? Was it written to sell something or to convince you of something? Is this fact or opinion based? Is it unfairly biased?