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FYW: Why Are You Laughing?: Evaluating

Evaluating Media

Many journals, magazines and newspapers are reviewed in Ulrichs. Reviews will describe the nature of the publication, target audience, level of scholarship and in some cases, bias. 

Questions to ask:

  • What is the purpose of this publication? Is it entertainment? Information? Sell something? Present a particular perspective? Is it for experts? Is it for a particular demographic like children, or senior citizens?
  • Is the information contained in the article time sensitive? Should you look for something more recent?
  • If the article is from a newspaper, is it a news story or an editorial?
  • If you detect a certain perspective, have you found other sources to balance your research out?

Evaluating Websites

Evaluating Website Checklist:

  • Who is responsible for the site?
  • What are their qualifications?
  • With whom are they affiliated?
  • Is the site free of spelling and grammatical errors?
  • Is documentation provided (a bibliography or reference list)?
  • Can the information be verified using another source?
  • Is the purpose to inform or persuade?
  • Is a bias evident?
  • Does the site's sponsor have a vested interest in your thinking a certain way?
  • What percentage of the page's links point inward?outward?
  • Does the page contain ads? What are they for?
  • Is the page dated?
  • What does the date mean - last updated or first published?
  • Is there mention of how often the site is updated?
  • Does the site's content warrant frequent updates?
  • Are any of the links out-dated (dead)?
  • more info...

Be A Savvy Searcher