Evaluation of Information Resources

readings

Katz, William Introduction to Reference Work: Reference Services and Reference Processes , 8^th ed. (selections), New York: McGraw Hill, 2002.

How to Critically Analyze Information Sources (Cornell University Libraries)

Diaz, Karen, “The Best of the Best: Ranking and Rating Digital Reference Resources”, RUSQ 39 (1), 17-21, 1999. (available fulltext via ProQuest)

guides for reviews You may find these of use in the Evaluation Assignment.

Reviewer’s Guide for Choice

Reference Reviews in any issues of Reference & User Services Quarterly, (link is to ProQuest) their guidelines (as Word documents) for books, databases, types of materials they will review

Booklist, see esp. their selection policy, reference reviews

Collection Development at the Internet Public Library

samples

Desk Set: Ready Reference on the Web Choice 38(8), April 2000

Reference Reviews (Gale Group)

Outstanding Reference Sources for Small and Medium-sized Libraries (Reference & User Services Association, ALA); also note Criteria, previous lists, etc.

questions for discussion in class

Why is evaluation of information necessary? Why do we do it?

What criteria do you find common among the readings and other materials above?

What kinds of indicators would you use for those criteria? For example, how would you know that a source is accurate, say? What kinds of indicators would you use for Web-based sources in particular?

Which of those criteria is the most important?