Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
alyzing and evaluating the information, as well as locating indepen
dent sources. Of course, multiple sources may be subject to similar
biases, but independent confirmation of facts can help you weed out
blatant problems and provide you with additional assurance that
facts and conclusions may be reasonable.
As Science Librarian Kevin Engel notes in
The Strategic Guide
to Quality Information in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Medicine, Physics, and Psychology,
No, I am not paranoid; I definitely do not think that
everyone is out to lie to me or that the world is rife with
conspiracies.
There is a very natural tendency, however,
for people and organizations to present information in a
way that best serves their own self-interests.
To operate intelligently in our society, to make up
your own mind about issues, to be free means that it is es
sential to critically evaluate the information you gather.
What it boils down to is the following:
Be skeptical about the information you gather. You
don't need to be cynical, but a little skepticism is healthy
. . . and smart.
Evaluating an Information Source
The following is taken, with permission of the author, from
The Strategic Guide to
Quality Information in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Medicine,
Physics, and Psychology
, “Step 4—Evaluate” by Kevin Engel, Science Librarian at
Grinnell College. Mr. Engel suggests that you ask yourself these questions in evaluating
a source:
Author/Publisher
:
Who is the author/reporter?
What expertise does the author or reporter have that lends authority to the informa
tion coming from him or her?
Who is the author or reporter affiliated with?
What motive(s) might that organization or the author or reporter have in reporting
that information in that particular way?
Who published the information?
What motive(s) might that organization (or person) have in publishing that informa
tion in that particular way?
