The ability to think critically and approach information objectively is an important academic skill.
To critically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and validity of a piece of information, consider the following:
For more information use the Researcher Skills Toolkit - Evaluate module.
Deciding what to use
Not everything that you find will fit your criteria exactly. Once you have evaluated and analysed the information, you can determine the relevance of each source.
Consider and document the following:
There are several screening and critical appraisal tools you can use in a review to assist with your appraisal.
Check the Appraisal, Extraction and Synthesis section of the Systematic Review Library Guide for more details.
For more information, visit Academic Learning Support resources on 'think, read and write critically'
TRAAP |
Useful for evaluating books and journal articles. Consider the relevance of a resource based upon the following criteria:
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Check the Resource Evaluation Library Guide for more information, including online resources and quizzes.
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SIFT |
Useful for evaluating resources where not a lot of detail is known about the author or organisation, e.g., news media, websites, reports, and social media. SIFT stands for:
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AACODDS Checklist |
Useful tool for evaluating grey literature
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More details about the AACODDS Checklist |