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ENG 151: Information Literacy - Source Evaluation

Information Formats

What Kind of Information Do You Have?

Knowing more about your information can help you evaluate it properly. First, identify its format.

Format

Format refers to how information is packaged, or where you access it.

Formats:

  • Can appear in print and/or online.
  • Undergo different publication processes.
  • Present information differently for different purposes.
  • Tell you why the information exists.

Some formats are better than others for your purpose.

Source Type

Source refers to the specific piece of information, like the article within a journal.

Knowing what kind of source you have will help you evaluate it properly.