I found a great video on YouTube - can I use it for my research project?
Try the TRAP checklist.
Timeliness:
Look for the date created/last updated.
If the video is old, is it historical or a valuable primary source, or is it just out of date and no longer relevant?
Is the movie, video, or film clip something that will still be available to be viewed later? In scholarly research it is essential that resources used to support something be available by others later--even decades or centuries later.
Is it likely that the video will be removed from the Web site?
Timeliness:
Look for the date created/last updated.
If the video is old, is it historical or a valuable primary source, or is it just out of date and no longer relevant?
Is the movie, video, or film clip something that will still be available to be viewed later? In scholarly research it is essential that resources used to support something be available by others later--even decades or centuries later.
Is it likely that the video will be removed from the Web site?
Reliability:
Look for copyright statements and/or permission to use.
Who is responsible for the movie, video, or film clip? Are all creators identified (writer, director, producer, editor, etc.)?
Is it a government agency, educational, business/company, association, news bureau, personal/individual, or a studio?
Is there any bias? (of the author or sponsor): Some movie, video, or film clips have an inherent bias that will impact everything that appears in them.
For examples does the creator have any obvious political affiliations, business connections, or is it meant to be a satire (a joke).
Look for copyright statements and/or permission to use.
Who is responsible for the movie, video, or film clip? Are all creators identified (writer, director, producer, editor, etc.)?
Is it a government agency, educational, business/company, association, news bureau, personal/individual, or a studio?
Is there any bias? (of the author or sponsor): Some movie, video, or film clips have an inherent bias that will impact everything that appears in them.
For examples does the creator have any obvious political affiliations, business connections, or is it meant to be a satire (a joke).
Authority:
Who owns or distributes the video?
Is the writer an expert in this field? What else has he/she created? Does the director have previous experience? Does the video have an identifiable, respectable creator?
If not, the video must be used with caution in a research context.
Who owns or distributes the video?
Is the writer an expert in this field? What else has he/she created? Does the director have previous experience? Does the video have an identifiable, respectable creator?
If not, the video must be used with caution in a research context.
Purpose:
Is the information intended for a particular audience based on expertise (scholarly or general interest), age, group affiliation, or some other criteria (such as a potential sales customer)?
Why was it created? To entertain, to inform, to share information, to advertise or to influence beliefs or views?
Is the information on topic and does it suit your needs? Does it add anything to what you already have?
Is the information intended for a particular audience based on expertise (scholarly or general interest), age, group affiliation, or some other criteria (such as a potential sales customer)?
Why was it created? To entertain, to inform, to share information, to advertise or to influence beliefs or views?
Is the information on topic and does it suit your needs? Does it add anything to what you already have?
Material from How to Evaluate a Video: Tips for Finding Quality Information from Middlesex Community College, Jean Burr Smith Library.
http://mxcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/EvaluateVideo.pdf
Resources consulted: Center for Learning and Teaching, SUNY Empire State College. “Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask.” Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial. May 2009. UC Berkeley Library. 6 July 2009 . Kapoun, Jim. “Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction.” C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523. Colorado State University. “How to evaluate a movie, video or film clip.” How to Do Library Research. 2012. http://lib.colostate.edu/howto/evalmovie.html