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ENGL 1102 - Ezell - Spring 2025: Evaluating Information

What is a scholarly source?

Differentiating between scholarly & non-scholarly/popular information

Scholarly information can be described as information by and for scholars or academic audiences. Scholarly information is peer-reviewed, a process by which other scholars fact check the work to ensure accuracy. Popular or non-scholarly information, on the other hand, does is not peer-reviewed, nor is it written by an expert/scholar of the topic being discussed. 

Characteristics of non-scholarly/popular information: 

  • Contains images, often attention-grabbing images 
  • Littered with ads or advertisements 
  • Author is not an expert in the field being discussed 

Example Link: Popular 

Example Link: Scholarly 

Know Your Information

Please note: This image is not the product of Georgia Southern University. Courtesy of Oakland University Libraries 

Internet Sources

Is it EVER Ok to use Web Sources?   beginning with the HTTP scheme and the WWW domain name label.

Yes! You won't be abandoning Web sources completely, but you will need to know WHEN it is appropriate to use Web Sources. This will depend on a variety of factors, but mainly on the assignment perimeters and the type of information you are trying to find. It's important to know WHAT you are looking at when you search the web, because you are going to find a ton of information. Understanding the Information Cycle will help, and also knowing how to critically evaluate these sources will be vital. The CRAAP Test will become your best friend as you try to navigate the multitude of information on the internet! 

*Remember, if you ever have any doubts about a source, ASK your Professor BEFORE using it! 

Information Cycle

flow chart of information forms and cycle

Evaluating Sources: If I Apply Method

EXAMPLE SOURCE:https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170907-what-the-myth-of-faust-can-teach-us 

NOTE: Only focus on the "source steps"

A: Authority of the Author

  • What does the author do for a living? Professor? Researcher?
  • What else has the author published?
  • What sort of training or research has the author done in preparation for the content in question?

P: Purpose of the Source

  • Is the purpose of the source to educate, inform, or entertain? What might be the difference between informing and educating?
  • Does it appear as if any money is being made from the source? (look for ads)

P: Publisher Agenda

  • What sort of company or entity published the source? A college/university? News company?
  • Is the entity or company a non-profit? company? other?

L: List of Sources 

  • Are other sources cited or mentioned? If so, what sort of sources? Studies? News sources? If there are hyperlinks, do they all work?

Y: Year of publication/revision

  • When was the content published? How might its date of publication/revision impact the content?