EVALUATING RESOURCES 

Print materials generally have some type of editorial review before they are published--but anyone can create and publish a web site. Information published on the web can be facts, opinions, stories, interpretations, or parodies. It may be reliable or purposely false; it may be there to persuade you to buy an item or particular idea or change your attitude or belief. BE WARY when searching for information on the WWW.

Use the criteria and hints on the pages on this guide to  evaluate web sites.

Much of the same criteria can be used for print materials. For additional considerations, see:

• Critically Analyzing Information Sources Cornell University Library

For specifically evaluating types of periodicals, see:

• Evaluating Periodicals

Research Tutorial: Previous (Finding Your Sources) or Next (Citing Resources)

Evaluating Periodicals

Periodicals are publications that come out periodically, e.g. weekly, monthly, quarterly. They are the best sources to use for up-to-date information. Some common types of periodicals are:

• Newspaper articles are written by reporters, to give a current reporting of the facts on a daily or weekly basis.

• Newsletters are usually published weekly or monthly and attempt to keep an interested public (often professionals in a discipline) informed about the latest research, news or government action on their topic.

• Trade journals are aimed at people who work in a specific industry, to keep them informed of latest developments in that industry.

• Magazines and journals have some distinct differences between them that we should look at in more detail.

Generally, scholarly journals are expected as periodical resources when doing any in-depth research. If you are preparing a speech for a general audience or an English 101 term paper, magazines can be acceptable sources of information.

All types of periodicals have their place in providing information. If in doubt about what is appropriate for the type of research you are doing, check with your instructor.