Reliability of Information
Reliability of Information
Others
refer to the trustworthiness of the source in evaluating the reliability of information.
Accuracy of information - Accuracy refers to the closeness of the report to the actual data.
Measurement of accuracy varies, depending on the type of information being evaluated. Forecasts are
said to be accurate if the report is similar to the actual data. Financial information is considered accurate
if the values are correct, properly classified, and presented
Value of information - Information is said to be of value if it aids the user in making or improving
decisions.
Authority of the source - Much of the information we gather daily do not come from a primary source
but are passed on through secondary sources such as writers, reporters, and the like. Sources with an
established expertise on the subject matter are considered as having sound authority on the subject.
Timeliness - Reliability, accuracy, and value of information may vary based on the time it was produced
or acquired. While a piece of information may have been found accurate, reliable, and valuable during
the time it was produced, it may become irrelevant and inaccurate with the passing of time (thus
making it less valuable). Other information may be timeless, proven to be the same in reliability,
accuracy, and value throughout history.
B. Skills in accessing information from libraries - Due to the wealth of information in a library, it is
important to know the following:
• The access tool to use
• How the information being accessed may be classified
• The depth of details required--some libraries provide only an abstract of the topic
• More detailed information might require membership or some conformity to set rules of the
source (ex databases)