Evaluation criteria: All resources
- Authors are professionals (mental health or education) who have a reputation for excellence.
- Authors have lived experience and relate that in ways that are respectful, inclusive, and strengthening.
- The resource is free, or available at a cost (both monetary and privacy) that is clear (i.e. you don’t have to subscribe, join, or give personal information to access)
- Clear information about the resource is available to the public
- Evidence-based, research-informed
- Compatible with the stated values of Skylark (strength-based, inclusive, non-judgemental language, promoting awareness and action, encouraging open communication and collaboration))
- Where possible, Canadian (we will flag those that are Canadian)
Additional criteria: Apps
We use the MARS (Mobile App Rating Scale) to evaluate apps.
Additional criteria: Websites and print resources
Information about results of evaluation against these criteria is included on the resource description page (see: Why we’re recommending this resource).
Accuracy
- Is the website or text well-researched and information properly cited?
- Are facts and statistics documented?
- Can the information be verified in other sources?
- Is the page/text well-written and organized?
Authority
- Can you identify the author of the website or text? An author can be an individual, company, educational institution, government agency, non-profit organization, etc.
- What are the qualifications or credentials of the author? Is the author affiliated with a reputable institution?
Objectivity
- Are there biases in the Web page or text? Is this the site or publication of a company selling products or an individual/organization with a specific agenda?
- Are the goals or aims of the author clearly stated?
Currency
- Is there a date when the website or text was last updated?
- Are the links from the site up-to-date?
Coverage
- How does the information compare with other sources available on the topic?
- What is the reading level of the material?
- Are there references or links to more information?
Relevancy
- The website or text may be interesting, but is the content appropriate for your research/knowledge needs?
Suggest a resource
Recommend resources that you’ve found helpful for yourself, your colleagues or in the classroom.