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Veterinary - Information Sources: Evaluating Sources

  • Effectively evaluating information is critical in a medical environment. Not all information sources are created equally, so it is vital to critically evaluate information sources to ensure that consequential diagnostic and treatment decisions are based on the best information sources available.​
  • Use the criteria below to ensure the trustworthiness and validity of information that you choose to use.

Evaluating Sources

  Currency

  • When was the information created or published?
  • Is this the most recent information on the topic?
  • Do you need current information or will older sources work?

  Relevance

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you will use?

  Authority

  • Who is the author / publisher / source ?
  • What are the author's credentials and qualifications to write on the topic?
  • Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source (examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net)?

  Accuracy

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence? Has it undergone a review process?
  • Can you verify any of the information in another source?
  • Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?

  Purpose

  • What is the intention of the author? Is the source intended to persuade, inform, sell, educate, entertain?
  • Is there a conflict of interest statement associated with the work?
  • Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

 

  Adapted from:  "Is this source or information good? The CRAAP test", California State University, Chico. https://library.csuchico.edu/help/source-or- information-good.

 

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