Unit 1Reference Evaluation Guide

Scope	Does the article cover the topic? How much of the topic is covered? Is the information general or detailed?	check the length of article scan subheadings, if any read topic sentences
Currency	Is the information up to date enough for the topic chosen or do you need historical information?	check the publication date check the currency of the sources in bibliography, if available
Level of difficulty	Is the information written at a level you can understand and use? Who is the intended audience: the scholar/specialist or layperson?	look up unfamiliar terminology in a dictionary use a general encyclopedia first if the specialized one is too complicated if still unable to understand, article is too advanced.
Writer's purpose	What is the bias/perspective?	read the Preface or Introduction of the encyclopedia check the reputation of the encyclopedia