Evaluating Articles: Checklist

 

Credibility	Is there an author listed?	_____
	Does the author cite sources or a bibliography?	_____
	Does the author cite formal credentials or experience?	_____
	Can you contact the author?	_____
	Do you know who published the article? Are they reputable?	_____
Bias
	Does the article present information in an objective manner?	_____
	Are all sides of an issue represented, or is this article biased?	_____
Audience
	Are the levels of the articles appropriate to your needs?	_____
	Do the articles cover several topics broadly, or one topic in detail?	_____
Accuracy	Does the article provide documentation for the information provided?	_____
	Does the article provide information that contradicts other sources?	_____
	Does the article include an explanation of its research methods?	_____
Currency
	Was the information recently published?	_____
	Has it been updated or revised?	_____
Relevance	Does the information add to or support your research?	_____
	Does the article provide references that are also useful?	_____
	Does the article provide more or less information than you need?	_____

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This checklist was developed at the University of North Carolina by Suchi Mohanty of the House Undergraduate Library, Lisa Norberg and Kim Vassiliadis, of University Library Instructional Services, and Shauna Griffin of the School of Information and Library Science.