On this page, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions regarding the operation, methods, and principles of the BIP – Barometer for Information Quality. This section will be updated regularly to reflect the development of the project and the community’s most common queries.
The BIP is a project that assesses the quality of information made available to the public by various entities across different platforms and languages, using criteria such as accuracy, reliability, and relevance.
The BIP operates in several ways. Periodically, it conducts surveys to assess the quality of information on specific phenomena or situations, in which any member of the public can participate. Simultaneously, the BIP teams evaluate current and pertinent cases through a set of indicators spanning different dimensions of information quality, employing diverse methodological approaches. Research results are published on this website as Reports, accessible via the Results section in the menu.
The BIP assesses information quality from three perspectives: audience reception; the product itself (the information in its various forms); and the process of information production. Regarding content, the BIP considers institutional, advertising, and journalistic information. Accordingly, it applies both cross-cutting criteria suitable for any informational content and specific criteria for these three types of information. You can explore this topic in more detail in the e-book “Evaluating Information Quality: A Theoretical-Methodological Framework”.
Anyone can participate in the BIP surveys and assess the quality of the information they consume. In addition, the BIP may invite researchers to join the team or collaborate on a specific project or case study.
The data collected is used to assess the quality of information available and identify areas for improvement. No personally identifiable information is recorded, meaning participation is anonymous.
Yes, the BIP data is open access – both survey data and research data – which are published as Reports and through the provision of Databases.
Estados do Tempo is a monthly podcast produced by the BIP team in partnership with Communitas (the Think Tank of the Communication and Society Research Centre). It discusses topics related to information quality and its relevance to society.
The BIP disseminates research results in various formats: Annual Reports, Reports, a Newsletter, and through Activities and Events it organises.
In addition to research results, the BIP provides a compendium of Comparable Projects, a list of useful Bibliography for exploring information quality from various perspectives, and Databases resulting from its research.
The BIP Agenda is updated according to the organisation of activities or events. It includes the BIP initiatives, activities involving the BIP team members, and other initiatives that may be of interest to the site’s audience.
Last updated: September 04, 2025
