PASS: Evaluating Your Information SourceP - Purpose: Why was this created? To inform, educate, advertise, promote?
A - Authority: Who is the author/publisher? Are they experts? When was it written, last updated? What bias does this authority have?
S - Scope: What is covered in this source? Who is the information for?
S - Selected or Sample Entries: How does it work? What does a typical entry look like? Does it seem to cover the subject? Is the information accurate and verifiable? (Be careful to look at what is said, not just how it looks.)
Does the information source PASS your test? Does it work for your purpose? Is it the right information for you and your topic? Have you considered your own bias?
Remember to give credit to the author by citing your sources.
See also: PASS detail for specifics on how to use with different sources.
Created by Theresa Borchert 6-10-1998 Last update 9-01-11
Send comments or corrections to borchert@cord.edu
Carl B. Ylvisaker Library, Concordia College, Moorhead,Minnesota