objectivity defined
Another difficult, but very important criteria to apply when appraising a resource relates to objectivity.
When we speak of objectivity, we are looking to determine whether the information that has been presented in a resource is spared from bias, or free from influence by personal conviction, interpretation, or prejudice.
Objective resources are not intended to manipulate their audience, but are rather geared toward providing comprehensive information that explores all viable explanations and perspectives that surround a given topic. They also tend to be very neutral in tone, and often offer factual information that is clearly explained, and easily verified by checking up on the appropriate sources. The highest level of evidence includes refereed journal articles that have been reviewed by credible experts in the field.
Click on the thick green bar at the bottom of your browser window, and drag it up. Notice here two different information sources, http://www.stressfocus.com (on the left), and http://www.clarocet.com/ (on the right). Each describes stress and its effects on the body, and promotes herbal remedies for stress.
Read through and compare the two sources.
