Annotations and Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources 

Evaluating sources is a critical aspect of information literacy. Whenever we encounter information, we subconsciously make judgments about it. The process of evaluating sources prompts you to bring these judgments to a conscious level, deepening your capacity to engage with information effectively.

Learning how to evaluate sources prompts you to consider how information is created, packaged, and transmitted so you can then put it into context. Further, these skills help you to create better work, write better papers, and be a better friend!

Any source of information can (and should) be evaluated, whether it is a TikTok video or a scholarly article. When you step back and consider a source, you may realize its information is outdated or otherwise incorrect.

Some basic questions to consider:

• Who made it? Why?
• Who published it? Why?
• Do you trust the creator and/or publisher? Why or why not?
• Who is the targeted audience?
• When and how was it distributed?
• How accurate was the information when it was created? Has anything changed since it was created or published that adds a new perspective or meaning?
• How much of a topic does it cover?
• Why is it relevant to me?

Criteria for Evaluating Sources and Writing Annotations

When evaluating a source and writing annotations, you should consider the following criteria:

• Authority / Credibility
• Audience / Type of Source
• Purpose / Point of View
• Currency
• Coverage / Scope
• Relevancy

All of these criteria are interconnected. They reflect the core concepts of the ACRL's Framework for Information Literacy.