When you search for and collect information, you need to critically evaluate the information you find. Here we give you some tools to help you develop a critical approach to information, and we show you how to read and evaluate scholarly texts.
 

Using a critical approach, you can evaluate the credibility of information, for example, by reviewing the content, the currency, and the source of the information. There are some questions you should ask to evaluate different types of publications and media. However, how you do the assessment may differ depending on whether it is a scientific article, web page, or video that you are reviewing.

Questions to ask yourself when you review information: 

When you evaluate the information, it is important to be aware of what message is being conveyed. It can be advertising or sponsored materials (such as hidden marketing). Therefore, you need to check the contents of the material before using it.

Another way to determine the credibility of the material is to find out if it has been reviewed and by whom. In addition to scholarly material, many books, magazines, journals, and web pages are reviewed by editors.

READING TIP!

Data Detox Kit gives advice of how you can navigate through information on the web and how you can affect your privacy, security and wellbeing.

On the next page you will find an infographic on how to spot fake news. It can be printed and downloaded.