Evaluating Information: A.S.P.E.C.T

A: Authority

• Is there an author’s name?
• Can you locate the author’s credentials?
• Can you find evidence of author expertise in the subject?
• How many other works have they authored on this subject?
• Do you have personal recommendations for this author?
• Do you know the publisher’s credentials and reputation?
• Are there similar works from this publisher?

S: Sources

• Is information presented as fact?  If yes…
  • Does the author provide documentation? (Bibliography, footnotes, links, etc.)
• If documentation/sources are included, are they from credible sources?

P: Purpose

• Was this source written to inform and educate?
• Does the source argue a perspective or specific opinion?
• Is the source intended to entertain or sell?
• Is the content aimed at a general audience, or is it written for readers with expertise in the subject?
• Is the source too basic, too technical, too advanced?
• Is the source just right for your research needs?                 

E: Evenness

• Does the author recognize other points of view?
• Is the information presented objective?
• If the source is biased, does the author acknowledge the bias?

C: Coverage

• Is the information new? Does it support what you have found in other sources?
• Is the source comprehensive or inclusive enough for your needs?
• Does this source provide information that is relevant to your needs?

T: Timeliness

• When was the source published?
• Is the date appropriate for your topic?
• When researching subjects related to science, (like Biology) and Medicine, (such as Dental Hygiene or Nursing), it is often more appropriate if the information is from the last five years.

This short video gives more examples of evaluating the authority, evenness, and timeliness of a source.