Skip to Main Content

CMP-125 (Ionescu, Fall 2024)

Prof. Iwona Ionescu

Evaluating Internet Resources

Articles in the Rider University Library's databases

Library database are articles based on paid subscriptions. Most of the content has been reviewed and approved by peer reviewers and editorial staff. You have less a need to evaluate the content. Most probably it is safe to use them.

Internet Resources

Internet resources are not censored or reviewed. Anyone can put up anything on the Internet. Some may be biased and some are fake news. You must evaluate Internet information before use. 

Currency

The timeliness of the information.

  • When was the information published?
  • Has there been any updates or revision to the information?
  • Are the sources used by the author current or outdated?
  • Is the information out-of-date for the topic?

Relevancy

The importance of the information to your context.

  • Does the information answer your question?
  • Is the information related to your topic?
  • Have you looked for other sources before settling on this one?
  • Is the information appropriate to your level of study? Is it too simple or too sophisticated?

Authority

The source of the information.

  • Who is the author?
  • Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
  • Has the material been peer-reviewed or reviewed by editors?
  • Has the author been cited elsewhere?

Accuracy

The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content.

  • What types of other sources have been cited?
  • Does the information line up with your own knowledge on the topic?
  • Are there any spelling or grammar errors in the text?

Purpose

The reason the information exists.

  • What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform or persuade?
  • Is the author clear what their intentions are?
  • What biases might the author have?

ChatGPT

Microsoft Copilot

Google Germini