6. Key evaluation questions

When evaluating your search results, consider the following questions:

  • Is the information relevant to your topic?
  • Are the results objective and verifiable?
  • Does the publication date meet the requirements of your assignment or research task?
  • Do you have enough material?
  • Are the sources academically appropriate?

The required time frame depends on your topic. In fast-developing fields, such as artificial intelligence, engineering, medicine, or information technology, recent sources may be especially important. In historical or theoretical research, older sources may still be highly relevant.

Before you decide to use a source, think about whether the information is accurate, objective, and trustworthy. This video explains why source credibility matters and how misinformation can affect your research.