Evaluating Research Quality
Evaluating Research Quality
Table 1 lists various factors to consider when evaluating the quality of information, particularly from the Internet.
Table 1 Evaluation Criteria (Internet Navigator)
Accuracy or credibility
Is the information provided based on proven facts?
Is it published in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?
Have you found similar information in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?
Author or authority
Who is the author?
Is she or he affiliated with a reputable university or organization?
What is the author’s educational background or experience?
What is their area of expertise?
Has the author published in scholarly or peer reviewed publications?
Does the author/Web master provide contact information?
Coverage or relevance
Does the information covered meet your information needs?
Is the coverage basic or comprehensive?
Is there an “About Us” link that explains subject coverage?
How relevant is it to your research interests?
Currency
When was the information published?
When was the Web site was last updated.
Is timeliness important to your information need?
Objectivity or bias
How objective or biased is the information?
What do you know about who is publishing this information?
Is there a political, social or commercial agenda?
Does the information try to inform or persuade?
How balanced is the presentation on opposing perspectives?
What is the tone of language used (angry, sarcastic, balanced, educated)?
Sources or documentation Is there a list of references or works cited?
Is there a bibliography?
Is there information provided to support statements of fact?
Can you contact the author or Web master to ask for, and receive, the sources used?
Publication and Web site design
How well designed is the Web site?
Is the information clearly focused?
How easy to use is the information?
How easy is it to find information within the publication or Web site?
Are the bibliographic references and links
Table 1 lists various factors to consider when evaluating the quality of information, particularly from the Internet.
Table 1 Evaluation Criteria (Internet Navigator)
Accuracy or credibility
Is the information provided based on proven facts?
Is it published in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?
Have you found similar information in a scholarly or peer-reviewed publication?
Author or authority
Who is the author?
Is she or he affiliated with a reputable university or organization?
What is the author’s educational background or experience?
What is their area of expertise?
Has the author published in scholarly or peer reviewed publications?
Does the author/Web master provide contact information?
Coverage or relevance
Does the information covered meet your information needs?
Is the coverage basic or comprehensive?
Is there an “About Us” link that explains subject coverage?
How relevant is it to your research interests?
Currency
When was the information published?
When was the Web site was last updated.
Is timeliness important to your information need?
Objectivity or bias
How objective or biased is the information?
What do you know about who is publishing this information?
Is there a political, social or commercial agenda?
Does the information try to inform or persuade?
How balanced is the presentation on opposing perspectives?
What is the tone of language used (angry, sarcastic, balanced, educated)?
Sources or documentation Is there a list of references or works cited?
Is there a bibliography?
Is there information provided to support statements of fact?
Can you contact the author or Web master to ask for, and receive, the sources used?
Publication and Web site design
How well designed is the Web site?
Is the information clearly focused?
How easy to use is the information?
How easy is it to find information within the publication or Web site?
Are the bibliographic references and links