Does it matter where the information comes from?

It's import to carefully judge the quality of information, whatever the source. The warning, "don't believe everything you read" holds true for both print and online materials. However, be especially careful when evaluating information on the Web, because potentially anyone can publish anything, without an expert judging it first.

Materials that you find in a library, on the other hand, have been through some evaluation before you see them:

  1. At the publisher, an editor (or a peer-review panel) checks books and journal or magazine articles for accuracy.
  2. Librarians, often with feedback from faculty, choose the books and journal subscriptions that the library buys. This decision is based on how appropriate the materials are for academic research.

Most information on the Web does not go through these stages of evaluation before you see it, so you need to be especially thoughtful and critical as you evaluate Web materials.


UMass Amherst logo© 2000, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries. Updated: February 15, 2000
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For comments or suggestions concerning this page, please contact Lori Mestre, Coordinator for Instructional and Curriculum Support Services