Criteria for the Evaluation of Pathfinders

If you don't think we on the instructional team use these criteria, take a look at the grading form we use for a student's pathfinder --we are quite serious about your applying these criteria to the construction of your pathfinder!  Follow the criteria.
1. Statement of Scope
  • Pathfinder topic is clearly defined and described
  • Purpose of the pathfinder is clearly stated
  • Intended audience is specified and described

2. Vocabulary

  • Relevant controlled vocabulary terms are specified
  • Useful call # areas for browsing are provided
  • Relevant free text terms or topic synonyms are provided
  • Tips on how best to use vocabulary are provided

3. Indexes & Abstracting Services (print or electronic)

  • Annotations are present
  • Relevant search terms and/or search strategies discussed
  • Distinction clear between search services & databases
  • List is selective and appropriate for the topic

4. Print Resources

  • Rationale for each title's inclusion is stated (annotations are not required, but important to note why each title was selected for inclusion on the list)
  • List is selective and appropriate for the topic
  • Titles are scholarly or research in focus
  • Titles are clearly organized into categories that are defined & logical

5. Online Resources

  • Annotations are present
  • List is selective and appropriate for the topic
  • Rationale for each source's inclusion is clearly stated
  • Sources are selected suing selection criteria discussed in course
  • Resources are clearly organized into categories that are logical

6. General Comments about Resources

  • Resource categories are appropriate for the topic and clearly defined
  • Pathfinder points to a relevant variety of all types (will vary by topic)
  • Miscellaneous useful resources are included as appropriate  (Examples include, but are not limited to, Friedes publication types; Periodical titles; gov docs; legislation; theses & dissertations; Publishers; current awareness sources; info in archives, Museums, research centers, and/or libraries; Relevant associations; organizations, and interest groups) 

7. Format and Organization

  • Format and organization is functional and well thought out.
  • Format and organization adds to pathfinder's quality and usability
  • References are complete, and in standard bib format (APA, MLA, etc)
  • Links to online resources are direct
  • Pathfinder clearly indicated why each resource is included, how useful
  • Resources are included selectively, rather than comprehensively
  • Pathfinder includes a relevant mix of print and electronic resources
  • Pathfinder is grammatically correct, does not contain spelling/typos