Case by Case
"Quality is in the eye of the beholder" - you need to take a case-by-case approach to evaluating information.
The value of information is subjective as different information will be appropriate in different circumstances - it all depends on what you need it for.
For example, if you are doing formal scientific research you will probably want to rely on peer-reviewed articles that have been validated and checked by qualified scientists.
If you are writing an essay on something like popular culture or political bias it might be appropriate to reference informal or primary sources that represent different points of view and to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these.
The key is to be clear about your purpose; decide what types of sources would be acceptable to use in light of this, and then to weigh up any information you find in light of your purpose.
- What information do you need?
- What are the best sources of this information?
- What type of Internet resources (if any) would be worth looking for?
Warning!
- If you don't know what you are looking for on the Internet you are likely to spend a lot of time drifting aimlessly through cyberspace - so save time by deciding exactly what you're trying to find before you start searching!
- Check which sources your lecturers are happy for you to use - do they want you to stick to your reading list or library resources or are they happy for you to search the wider web?
Once you know what you're looking for you can get on the case.
