Using the 5Ws to Evaluate Information - A Critical 5W Checklist

Sep 20, 2026

Using the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why) to evaluate information and determine reliability for an assignment. The worksheet guides readers to examine author and publisher credentials, identify publication purpose and bias, check dates and last updates, and verify credibility through citations, hyperlinks, bibliography, and supporting evidence like charts or peer review. It also prompts caution when sources show ad influence, outdated content, broken links, or factual errors, helping align materials with research needs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Who

Author credentials and publisher

Advertisements and website domains

What

Facts vs opinion

Objectivity and current beliefs

When

Publication date and last updated

Hyperlinks and rapidly changing topics

Where

Verification via citations

Evidence, charts, and peer review

Why

Helping answer a research question

Using the 5Ws to Evaluate Information Be critical of the information you’re consuming. Ask the 5W questions (who, what, when, where, why) to help determine ifa sources is reliable, credible, and appropriate for your assignment. Who?– Who is responsible for the information? Look at author and publisher information to answer questions. For websites, the “about” section can be useful to find“Who” answers. | Question | Answer | What Your Answers Might Mean | | --- | --- | --- | | Are the author’s credentials like their education or job affiliation listed? | YES / NO | If yes, it’s a good sign. An author’s credentials can tell you more about whether they can be considered an expert on this topic. | | Who published the book, article, or website? | Publisher: | If you recognize the publisher or the publisher includes the name of a college or university, it’s a good sign. You should be critical of books that are self-published or articles and websites that are designed to shock rather than inform. | | Are there advertisements in the source? | YES / NO | If yes, be cautious. Many magazines, newspapers, and websites include advertisements. It’s up to you to determine whether a publication or website is allowing funding sources to influence content. If you find evidence of clear bias toward advertisers, it’s best to avoid the source. | | For websites, what is the domain extension? | .[com .net](com .net)
.[edu .org](edu .org)
[.gov](.gov)[ ](.gov)other | .[com or .net](com or .net) are usually commercial or personal websites. Look at other criteria to determine credibility. Websites from an educational institution ( .edu) or government agency ( .gov) usually contain credible information. Non-profit organizations often use .org, but anyone can register a .org domain so information can sometimes be biased. When in doubt, use other criteria to assess credibility. | What?– What is the purpose of the information? Look at book jacket descriptions or the article abstract. Skim the table of contents and index if it’s a book or the article if it’sin a newspaper, magazine, academic journal, or website. | Question | Answer | What Your Answers Might Mean | | --- | --- | --- | | Is the information presented as fact or opinion? | FACT / OPINION | Every writer has an agenda and there are different reasons to write, whether it’s to inform, persuade, entertain, or something else. Look for sources in which the purpose is clear. | | Does the information appear objective and impartial or without bias? | YES / NO | If yes, it’s a good sign. You should avoid sources that show a clear bias or prejudice toward a topic. | | Does the information accurately portray current beliefs? | YES / NO | If yes, it’s a good sign. You should be especially critical of sources that stray dramatically from other information you’ve collected on the same topic. | When?– When was the information published? Look for a copyright date or date of publication. In websites, it’s often found at the very bottom of the page. | Question | Answer | What Your Answers Might Mean | | --- | --- | --- | | When was the source published or last updated? | DATE: | Books take longer to compile and publish. A book published within the last two years is generally considered recent. Magazines, newspapers, journals, and websites can provide very recent information. | When?– When was the information published? (Continued from previous page. ) | Question | Answer | What Your Answers Might Mean | | --- | --- | --- | | If it’s a website, are hyperlinks working? | YES / NO | If no, be critical. This could mean the website is not regularly monitored or updated. | | Is your topic something that changes rapidly and would require the most current information? | YES / NO | Some topics evolve quickly (technology, popular culture, some medical topics), and will require the most current information. Other topics (history, philosophy, political issues) won’t change as rapidly so a mixtur

FAQs

How can you evaluate the source using the “Who” questions?

Check the author’s credentials and the publisher’s reputation. Be cautious if the source includes ads or relies on commercial/personal domains rather than credible educational or government information.

What does the “What” section help you determine?

It helps you judge whether information is presented as fact or opinion and whether it appears objective and unbiased. It also prompts you to assess whether the claims match current beliefs.

How do the “When,” “Where,” and “Why” sections improve credibility checks?

Verify the publication or last-updated date and consider whether the topic requires the newest information. Confirm credibility through citations, links, bibliographies, evidence like charts, and whether articles are peer reviewed. Use the source to determine whether it directly supports your research question.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Genevieve