Library Guides: Nutrition: Research Tips

Evaluating Resources

Think critically about web sites and print resources.

Authority: Who is the author or creator? What are their credentials for this topic?
Content: What is the author's bias? Who was the information written for?
Currency: What is the publication date? When was the website last updated? Does this matter for your topic?
Validity: Is the information accurate or valid? Are there references to other works that support the information?
Publisher: Do they have a good reputation?

Credo Video: Evaluating Sources
This video will help you critically evaluate sources using these five criteria: authority, accuracy, currency, relevance, and objectivity.
How to Evaluate Information
Get more details here!

Additional Evaluation Resources

IF I APPLY
IF I APPLY is a method for identifying bias, both personal and external, and then using this as a baseline for determining the credibility of a resource. Information is neither good nor bad. Resources, and information, have a time and place when they will be useful for a specific topic or need.
IF I APPLY is not meant to be used as a checklist, but rather as a tool to facilitate and guide critical thinking.
Evaluating Information Rubric
Provides a table of general questions you should ask when evaluating print sources and websites.

Citing Your Sources

When using information from another source you must give credit to the original author or you are plagiarizing. You give credit by citing the source. Make sure your citation contains everything you would need to backtrack and find the information again. It is best to pick one citation style and be consistent.

Citation and Writing Guides
Information for APA, MLA, and other citation styles as well as general writing help.

Nutrition Resources

The following resources may be helpful for completing your nutrition assignments