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Currency
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- How does this source build upon previous schlolarship?
Relevance
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- Who is the intended audience (scholars, the general population, a specific group)?
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- Is the information at an appropriate level (e.g. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Authority
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- What are the author's credentials? (education, institutional affiliation, previous research, honors, etc.)
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
- Is the publication from a reliable publisher? What is the domain?
Accuracy
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- Is the information supported by evidence?
- Can you verify the information presented using other sources like encyclopedia articles, government documents, statistical data, or primary sources?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Are other researchers citing this source?
Purpose
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- Does the author meet the goals defined in the abstract or introduction?
- Does the point of view appear objective and imparial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
