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Data Resources & Datasets

Some Criteria for Evaluating Data

Authority

  • Who is the author or originator of this data? It could be a person or an organization.
  • What sort of credentials do they have? Are they affiliated with an institution or organization?
  • Are the well-know and well-regarded as data-creators?

Purpose

  • What is the author's purpose in producing or compiling this data? To persuade? To inform? To sell something?
  • Does the source use technical or specialized language?

Reasonableness

  • Does the data make sense in the context of what you know about the topic?
  • Is the data in line with other similar data you have found? If no, seek corroborating data from another source.

Currency

  • When was the data collected and published?
  • Does the age of the data matter in the context of your project? 
Subjects: Politics
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