Evaluative Annotated Bibliography

Use the following list to help you evaluate academic or scholarly sources. Answer the questions as appropriate, and then rank each of the 5 parts from 1 to 10 (1 = unreliable, 10 = excellent). Add up the scores to give you an idea of whether you should use the resource (and whether your professor would want you to!).

Timeliness: the timeliness of the information.......................................................................

· When was the information written and published?

· Has the information been revised or updated?

· Have more recent articles proven these findings false, or reinforced them?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs............................................

· Does the information relate to your topic?

· Does it answer your questions? _____________________________

· Is it written and researched at an appropriate reading level?

Accuracy: the reliability and truthfulness of the source…………………...................................

· Is the information supported by evidence?

· Can you verify any of the information in another source?

· Can you find sources cited?

Authority : the source of the information................................................................................

· Who is/are the author(s)?

· Is/are the author(s) qualified to write on the topic?

· What is the publication, and who publishes this journal?

· Is there contact information, such as an e-mail address for the author(s)?

Purpose: the reason the information exists...........................................................................

· What is the purpose of the information?

· Does the article want to convince you of something or prove an argument?

· Are there any biases? Do they only support one point of view?

TOTAL:

45 - 50 Excellent

40 - 44 Good

35 - 39 Average

30 - 34 Borderline Acceptable Below 30 - Unacceptable