Quality

Whether using a book, a scholarly article, or a Web site, it is important to use the following criteria to critically evaluate the information you locate:

Currency | Authority | Purpose | Point of view

When determining the purpose, ask yourself these questions:

Who is the intended audience? (researchers, general public, etc.)
Is the information level too elementary or too advanced?
Is the purpose to entertain or disseminate scholarly information?
Is the author trying to sell a product or a service?
What type of information is it (opinion, empirical research, etc.?)

Example

You are researching information on contemporary Brazilian culture. Your results will likely come from various sources intended for different audiences:

General encyclopedias such as Britannica and The World Book and even subject encyclopedias such as Countries and their Cultures will offer information aimed at general audiences
Some Web sites may present cultural information geared toward travelers while others may be promoting festivals or other cultural events
Scholarly books and articles will likely provide in-depth information focusing on specific aspects of Brazilian culture