User:Cmullane/Evaluate an Article

Which article are you evaluating?
California Department of Pesticide Regulation

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
I chose this article because it relevant my area of study. This department is responsible for many statewide changes to agriculture over the past 30 years. At first glance, it is clear that this page has not been updated recently, as the most recent statistics listed are from 2016.

Evaluate the article
The lead section does a good job laying out the responsibilities of the CDPR. The use of a bullet pointed list here aids in clarity.

In the first portion of the History section, there is only one referenced source. While it is referenced many times, there are most definitely other sources that may provide further insight into other related information. The latter half of the History section outlines the accomplishments of the CDPR between 2012 and 2014. This is relevant, but there is no mention of any activities or accomplishments following 2014 anywhere. The only more recent information is the CDPR budged in 2016. This department does still exist, and has since 2016, so there is definitely information missing here. The focus on accomplishments between 2012 and 2014 is (likely) because there is a CDPR document outlining accomplishments between these dates, making that information easily findable. There may be documents released since that outline later accomplishments, but those have not been added to this page.

The article seems to remain neutral, though it does focus primarily on the achievements and good brought by this department, and no negatives. Regardless of the intention or outcome of their actions, there are always individuals or groups opposed, and those groups are not represented on this page.

Every source used is from the CDPR or other state or national government body. This leads me to believe that the views of those involved in this department are overrepresented, while any views of those outside the government are underrepresented. With a government department in particular, it is crucial to discuss not only the actions of the department, but the public reception of these changes.