Common Sense: Evaluation Checklist
A guide for applying common sense to information sources
What are the presenter's profession, credentials, and qualifications?
What are the presenter's organizational affiliations?
What person or institution is financially supporting presentation of the information (e.g., university, private company, government agency, non-profit organization)?
Does the website URL reveal anything about the source (e.g., .com, .org, .edu, .gov)?
Does the presenter or sponsor make his or her motivations clear?
Is the presenter trying to teach and inform or to persuade and sell?
Are there advertisements related to the content?
Could the presenter have a financial interest or other vested interest in promoting the argument being made?
Is the information based on factual evidence?
Does the source cite its sources or explain where its information is coming from? (Original research? Personal experience? Other sources?)
Can you find, examine, and verify the information elsewhere?
Do the language and tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
If an opinion is being expressed, are reasons given to back up the opinion?
Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you detect political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
Is the information current? When was the information created or last updated?
Have you looked at and compared a variety of sources before choosing this one?