As the amount of information available steadily increases, largely because of the arrival of electronic resources, researchers are frequently overwhelmed by the quantity. It is more necessary than ever to consider quality. Not all information is equally valuable.
Evaluation is an individual process that requires independent judgment and critical thinking.
As with most steps of the research process, clearly defining the topic and understanding the purpose of the research are essential. Otherwise, evaluation will be like deciding what to take on a trip without knowing where you are going. When evaluating, remember that each book or article is often only one piece of the picture. Consider how the picture will look when all the pieces are put together. For example, it is acceptable to use a source that presents only one side of an argument as long as other sources provide other sides.