Ask

• If the source is a periodical article, was it peer reviewed (refereed) or reviewed by an editorial board?
• If the source is a book, what is the reputation of the publisher?
• If it is from the Web, was there any review process at all?
• Was it critically reviewed after it was written?

How can I find out?

• To find out whether a journal is peer reviewed or refereed, look at the journal's Web page or check UlrichsWeb.
• Information may be published by an association, a university press, a commercial publisher, or a government. If you know something about the publisher, you can often identify bias and point of view.
• The following reference sources will help you evaluate publishers:
  • Associations Unlimited
  • Publisher's Directory (Carrier Reference Z282 .B72)
• Many Web sites are not reviewed before being posted; however, government, educational, and organizational sites have some sort of review process. If no review process is stated or evident on a site, you may assume there is none.
• Read a critical review of books, movies, or music.