Introduction
The Information Era is full of information ready to separate for our hands, which once again proves the fact that it’s a blessing and curse at the same time. Informations technology had given us the opportunity to gain access to gigantic collections of knowledge and knowledge is power a responsibility therefore whether that particular information possesses integrity the rightness. In the world of information technology, or IT evaluation is critical in decision-making regarding information. Here we will delve into how such assessment creates sound judgments when engaging with digital data and sources.
Before you can use the information you've found you need to evaluate it to determine its appropriateness for your purposes, which can often be done by applying a number of standard criteria. These criteria include Credibility, Accuracy, Currency, Relevance and Bias.
Why Is Information Evaluation Crucial in Information Technology?
Information Evaluation is very important in information technology that is why it was mentioned.
Within the IT field, the quality of information is critical for validity and accuracy. You might be researching a new technology, trying to solve a software problem, or making decisions for your organization; if the information you are relying on is not accurate and up-to date, then it can become detrimental.
1. Rapid Technological Advancements: The IT area never stops changing. Today, what was true or pertinent yesterday may be old-fashioned. It is important that information is timely.
2. Cybersecurity and Privacy: The essential element of proper and safe data protection is true information concerning cybersecurity.
3. Troubleshooting and Problem Solving: People in IT have to work with correct and credible information so that they can diagnose and solve technical problems.
4. Decision-Making: To effectively make decisions regarding investments on technology, software developing or IT infrastructure, one needs factual information.
Evaluating Information in Information Technology
1. Source Credibility
2. Currency
3. Objectivity
4. Consistency
5. Relevance
6. Quality and Depth
7. Peer Review
8. Fact-Checking
10. Security
Credibility
- The information may be incorrect
- The information may be lead you towards a flawed analysis
- Scholars may see that you have used untrustworthy sources and assume
that your research is untrustworthy as well.
To avoid the above listed problems or troubles, use the signs of a credible source to determine whether a work deserves your consideration or not.
Signs of a Credible Source
- advanced degree (PH.D, MD, JD, etc.) in the area being written about
- affiliation with an institution of higher learning
- reputation as an expert within area of publication
- relevant publication record
Signs of a credible publisher
- publisher has a reputation for scholarly publishing
- publisher is affiliated with a university, college or other research institution
- there is an editorial board consisting of multiple experts in the field
- the board makes its decisions on the basis of the results of a blind review process
Signs of a credible referring source
- Reference is from a professor or other expert
- Reference is from a scholarly database (MLA, Medline, etc.)
- Reference is from a scholarly reference work (Encyclopaedia of Religion, etc.)
- Reference is from a citations or bibliography of a scholarly book or journal article
Accuracy
Signs of Accuracy
- The work uses facts and presents results that agree with your own knowledge of the subject
- The work uses facts and presents results that agree with those of other specialists in the field
- The work provides clear explanations of how data was gathered and results were reached
- The work provides citations and detailed explanations of reasoning
- The work addresses theories and facts that may negate the main thesis
Currency
Minutes-days | Day-Days | Week | Months | Year-Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
WWW | Newspapers | Popular Magazines | Scholarly Journals | Books Reference Works |
What could go wrong?
- You may run into a number of problems if you don't consider the currency of information.
- The information may have been proven incorrect.
- More recent interpretations may have become standard.
- You may use a source that isn't relevant to your topic.
- Scholars may see that you have used inappropriate sources and disregard your research.
How to avoid it:
- Understand when and why currency is an important factor in choosing sources.
What to look for! - Time-Sensitive Research:
- Research about current events: - Research about events occurring in the present or very recent past must rely on media with a short information cycle. Events that happened less than a week ago may only be covered on the Internet, newspapers and radio transcripts.
- Research that relies on time-sensitive information and theory: - Researchers needing current data such as statistics, scientific breakthroughs or current events may want to use journals, newspapers or even the Internet to access information. Furthermore, researchers should be careful with older works that may be dated.
- Time sensitive historical research:- Researchers needing primary resources that are very contemporary with an event will likely have more luck using newspapers, magazines and personal accounts from that time period than using books or journal articles, which often appear long after the event being considered.
Relevance
- What is your research question?
- What information would help to answer it?
- Do you need popular or scholarly resources?
- Do you need opinions or more objective information?
- What formats (book, journal, magazine, newspaper, etc.) of information resources would be useful?
Bias
Signs suggesting bias
- the work is created by a person or organization that is committed to a viewpoint that may colour their views on the subject at hand.
- the work is published by a person or organization that would benefit by promoting a particular point of view.
- the work is actively trying to sell a product or service.
- the work does not document information or cites unscholarly or biased works.
The Cautious Researcher Should
- learn about the author of a work to identify particular interests and commitments that may lead to significant bias.
- independently verify facts and statistics with a reliable source.
- consider whether the biased analysis is the only one that fits the data.
- try to identify general and specific ways in which the bias may have influenced the argument.
Documentation
Penn's Plagiarism Policy
The University of Pennsylvania's Code of Academic Integrity defines Plagiarism as:
Plagiarism: using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment.
If you present someone's words, thoughts or data as your own, you are committing plagiarism— you are stealing. The location of the information is irrelevant: when it comes to plagiarism, information from the Internet is equivalent to information from a physical book or journal. To avoid plagiarism you must cite the original author every time you:
- Use an author's exact written or spoken words. In this case, you must also identify the words by enclosing them with quotation marks or indenting the quote on both sides of the margin.
- Paraphrase someone's written or spoken words
- Use facts provided by someone else that are not common knowledge.
- Make significant use of someone's ideas or theories.
It is also plagiarism to pay a person or Internet service for a paper, hand in someone else's paper as your own, or cut and paste text from the Internet to your paper without citing the source.
Consequences
- Students caught plagiarizing may face either academic or disciplinary negative consequences. Instructors who determine that a paper includes plagiarized material can take academic measures, such as giving a failing grade for the paper. If the instructor decides that disciplinary measures should be taken, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
- If the student is found responsible following formal procedures, the student may face a number of sanctions—including suspension. Whatever the sanction, academic integrity action by the Office of Student Conduct becomes a part of the student's permanent record and may have an adverse impact on future academic and career goals.
Examples of Paraphrase
- Cites the source of the material being paraphrased.
- Differs enough from the original that it doesn't require quotation marks.
Following are two examples of paraphrases, one that is plagiarism and one that is not. The original is taken from Maguelone Toussaint-Samat's A History of Food (Cambridge: Blackwell, 1992. 263).
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving world of information technology, the ability to evaluate information critically is a fundamental skill. Whether you're a professional in the field or an individual seeking tech-related solutions, the quality of your decisions depends on the quality of your information. By following the guidelines mentioned above and being discerning consumers of information, you can navigate the digital landscape confidently, making well-informed choices and contributing to the continued growth and innovation in information technology.