University Libraries connecting you to worlds of knowledge

Understanding Your Search Results

Quantity of Results

Quality of Results
   Relevancy
   Reliability

Navigating the Library

I need it, but the library doesn't have it.

If you are searching a database that indexes only scholarly journals, then you usually don't have to worry about reliability. These articles are reviewed by scholars before they are published. If you are searching the Internet or popular journals, however, you will have to do your own evaluating. [Tell me more about scholarly vs. popular]

As you look through your results, ask yourself these questions:
What is the purpose of the article? Is the purpose stated?
Who is the intended audience?
Who is the author?
What are the author's education, credentials, occupation, affiliations, other publications? Are these qualifications relevant to the information presented?
Who is the host? Is the host an educational institution (.edu), a non-profit organization (.org), a company (.com), the government (.gov), the military (.mil), or other?
Is the topic covered comprehensively or selectively?
Is coverage recent or historical?
Is the information presented factual? Have you noticed any errors?
Has the information been altered from its original?
Does the author use objective reasoning?
Is the information supported with evidence?