Developments in U.S. federal government information : Evaluating government information

Evaluating Government Information handout (PDF)

• Published Octoberr 2025 by the Wisconsin Digital Archives, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division of School and Library Operations.
• Basically, it's a printable version of this page.

Legal accountability

Government agencies are bound by laws (like the U.S. Freedom of Information Act or equivalents in other countries) that require transparency and accuracy. False or misleading official information can lead to legal consequences, internal investigations, or loss of public trust.

• Are the publishing government agencies abiding by these laws?

Expertise and resources

Government agencies often employ subject-matter experts (scientists, economists, analysts) and have access to extensive data and research capabilities.

Examples: The Centers for Disease Control  and Wisconsin Dept of Health Services on health data, Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources on wildlife statistics, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics on employment figures.

• Are government agencies employing subject-matter experts?  
• Are they employing enough subject-matter experts?  

Standardization and methodology

Information is typically collected through rigorous and standardized methods (like censuses, surveys, and peer-reviewed studies), often making it more reliable than anecdotal or private sources.

• In many cases, you can or should be able to find information about the collection methods.

Public oversight and auditing

Many agencies are overseen by independent watchdogs or auditors who ensure data integrity.  Legislative bodies, media, and citizens can question or challenge inaccurate government information.
Some of those watchdogs or auditors include Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office.  

• Are these government watchdog organizations adequately staffed?  
• Are they getting the access they need?  
• Are they operating in a non-partisan way?

Non-commercial motive (usually)

Unlike private entities, governments typically aren't driven by profit motives when disseminating public data, which can reduce bias in how information is presented.

Human and political bias

Errors, outdated methods, or intentional manipulation can occur, especially when politics are involved (e.g., during wartime, elections, or public crises).

Delayed updates

Bureaucracy and slow update cycles can mean some government data becomes outdated quickly.

Varying transparency

Not all governments are equally transparent and open. In authoritarian regimes, information may be censored, controlled, or manipulated.

Check the source.

• Who created it? (An expert? A company? An anonymous person?)
• Is the source reputable? (Recognized institutions, credible journalists, etc.)
• Is there a conflict of interest or bias?
• Look up the author’s credentials.
• Check if the platform is known for reliable content.

Assess the accuracy.

• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Are there sources cited?
• Are facts verifiable elsewhere?
• Cross-check with other reputable sources.    
• Be skeptical of content with no references or citations.

Analyze the purpose.

• Why was this content created? (To inform, persuade, entertain, sell, mislead?)
• Is it trying to influence your opinion?
• Is it neutral or biased?
• Watch for emotionally loaded language or one-sided arguments.

Check the currency.

• Is this the most current information available?
• How much does currency matter for your information need?
• It can take months or years for statistics to be published, or laws and regulations to be released in codified form.

As part of the Federal Depository Library Program, the UW-Madison Libraries make U.S. government publications available to the public at no fee.

See the guide U.S. Government Publications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for more information on finding U.S. government publications.