Music Research Process

Currency

• What is the publication/creation date?
• Does this time period meet your information need?
• When was the last update?
• Are all the links up-to-date ( for web resources)?

Relevance

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level for your needs (not too elementary or advanced)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining if this is the one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority

• Who is the author?  What are her/his credentials?
• Has the author been cited in other sources?
• Who is publishing this information (individual, non-profit organization, commercial entity)?

Accuracy

• Do other sources contain the same information?
• Is evidence given to support the information?
• Are other sources cited?
• Is the site edited, or does it contain typographical errors (for web resources)?

Point of View (Bias)

• Does the source present the information from a particular bias or single viewpoint?
• Does the source contain assumptions not backed by research?
• Does the sponsoring organization or site have a stake in how information is presented?
• Does the information contain advertising?