Evaluating Information Is it suitable for your purposes? Is it a popular magazine, scholarly or trade journal? Is the date of the publication (article or book) appropriate? Does the material update other sources, support other materials you have read or add new information? What are the author's qualifications? Think about educational background, past writings and experience. What is the author's purpose in writing: To inform? To persuade? Who is the intended audience the author is addressing? Is it aimed at a specialized audience or general audience? How was the information obtained? Is the information organized logically? Are the main points clearly presented? Is the author repetitive? Is the information factual, opinion or propaganda? Facts can usually be verified. Opinions are developed from the interpretation of facts. Is the author's point of view objective and impartial or is it biased? Are the author's conclusions or facts supported with references? Are there footnotes or a bibliography? Is the work primary or secondary in nature? How do critical reviews rate the work? Who is the publisher? What group controls the publishing company?