Music: Evaluating Information

Think about something you know a lot about, i.e. something you have a bit of expertise in. How do you know when someone you're talking to about this topic knows what he or she is talking about? 

How is your judgment different when you're hearing someone talk about something you don't know much about?

From the Joyner Library, East Carolina University http://media.lib.ecu.edu/reference/howdoi/display.cfm?id=42.0

Use the following 5 questions when evaluating the information provided
by a Web page to determine its credibility:

1. Who Created the Web Page?

• Is the author/creator identified?
• What are their qualifications?
• Have you heard of them?
• Do they provide contact information?
• Does the website indicate a source of funding?

2. When Did They Create it?

• Does the page tell you when it was created?
• Is it updated? How often?
• Does it need to be updated?

3. Why Did They Create it?

• What purpose does this Web page serve?
• What does the author get out of creating it?
• What does this tell you about the reliability of the information this site offers?

4. What Perspective does it Represent?

• What point of view does the site emphasize: For example, if the site deals with abortion, is it Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, or neutral?
• Is the site reasonable or strident in tone? Does it support its arguments with facts or with rhetoric?
• What issues doesn't the site address?

5. Is the Information Reliable?

• Does it fit with what you've found elsewhere?
• Is the information supported with references or sources?
• Is the site well edited as far as spelling and grammar?
• Does the site emphasize image (such as flashy graphics) or substance (quality content)?