Interior Architecture Research Guide

Purpose

• Why was this resource created?
• Is it meant to inform, sell, entertain, or persuade?
• Are the author’s goals clear? Are there any noticeable biases (political, cultural, religious, personal)?
• Does it present facts or opinions? Are multiple perspectives included (e.g. diverse backgrounds, disciplines, or identities)?

Authority

• Who created or published it?
• Is it from a credible source (e.g. academic publisher, trusted organization)?
• Is the author identified, and are they qualified (degrees, experience, affiliations)?
• If it’s a website, does the domain (.edu, .gov, .org, .com) reveal anything about its credibility?

Relevance

• Does it fit your research needs?
• Is the content related to your topic? Does it support or challenge your viewpoint?
• Is it written at the right level (general public, academic, professional)? Who is the target audience?

Currency

• Is the information up to date?
• When was it published or last revised?
• Is it the latest version? Does the date matter for your topic?

Accuracy

• Is the content trustworthy?
• Are the claims backed by evidence? Has it been peer-reviewed?
• Is the tone objective? Are there any spelling or grammar errors?