These guidelines pertain to general reference information disseminated
by USDA agencies and offices that helps the public in its daily activities.
Examples include informational pamphlets and brochures on good nutrition,
safe handling of food, and good farming practices. The information
quality criteria included in USDA's General Information Quality Guidelines
comprise the quality standards that USDA agencies and offices will follow in
developing and reviewing general reference information and disseminating it to
the public. These supplementary guidelines focus largely on making the
information useful to the public.
- Information should be relevant.
Reference information
should provide value to its intended users and effectively address
the purpose for which it is produced. Identify the intended audience
and the issues of concern to them to identify relevant topics of interest.
- Information should be presented clearly.
Assess the level
of knowledge of the target audience and present the information appropriately.
Present the information in a clear, complete manner so that its intended
audience can easily understand it. Keep language as simple as the
subject permits. Use graphical materials in preference to additional
text or statistical tables to communicate the message. Provide a
point of contact to which users of the information may refer questions.
- Information should be current.
Reference information should
be as current as possible as of the date of its dissemination, and
the text should indicate appropriate dates such as date of collection,
compilation, and release. Review the information periodically as
appropriate to ensure that it continues to meet quality standards and
is appropriately categorized.
- The source of the information should be
documented.
Reference information that is based on the results of
scientific studies, analyses, or statistical activities should identify
the source of the information. Also, clearly identify the originating
agency or office and provide a point of contact for questions or additional
information.
- Information should be accessible.
Make reference
information easily accessible to its intended audience and make it
available in media-print, electronic, visual, audio, etc.-, which are
appropriate to accomplish that objective.
http://www.ocio.usda.gov/qi_guide/reference.html
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