During this step you need to ask:
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- Which of these resources will be of use to me?
- How do I choose the best sources?
- How do I best use the sources?
- Which information will I really use?
- Can I understand the information I have found?
- How credible/ reliable is the information I have found?
- How relevant is the information I have found to my current information need?
- How do I justify my selection of sources?
Decide if the resource will be useful by looking at:
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- The title and cover of the resource
- A ‘blurb’ or summary, telling you about the resource
- A table of contents
- The index – use any keywords you have identified in the defining stage to find the information you want
- Chapter headings
- Illustrations and labels
- Bold keywords
Use the SIFT checklist to verify information found on an internet search.
Image source: Edith Cowan University (2025). SIFT https://ecu.au.libguides.com/information-essentials/evaluation-tests
Use the SHIFT checklist to verify the authority of an AI generated response
Check for bias
- Use a checklist to see if it biased in any way
- Revisit your focus questions to see if the information you have found will answer them
Other useful links
StudyVibe: Research Safari – Selecting your information
On this page find out more about:
- Plagiarism
- Notetaking
- Creative Commons
- Image Libraries
- Referencing
Can you recognise fake news?
Misinformation – inaccurate information which is unintentially misleading
Disinformation – false information with a deliberate intention to mislead
ClickView has a great series about fake news