When deciding whether to use a source, you should consider its credibility, relevance, and appropriateness--that is, is the information reliable? Is it relevant to your argument? Is it an appropriate type of information to reference in your work?
There are many ways to think about that process; the important thing to remember is that evaluation is a spectrum, and you need to be able to stand behind your sources--ultimately, the decision is yours.
How do you know if you have a "good source"?
- Use the criteria below to determine the quality of ALL YOUR SOURCES
(books, articles, videos, audio programs, and especially websites...etc.)
- If your source fails to meet a lot of the criteria, look for another, better source.
| CRITERIA |
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF |
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Authority / Credibility
Determining the author for a source is important in deciding whether information is credible. The author should show some evidence of being knowledgeable, reliable and truthful.
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- Who is the author (person, company, or organization)?
- Is the author reputable or well-known? (what is their experience, expertise, education, knowledge)?
- Does the author provide citations as to where they obtained their own information?
- For websites, do sections like "About Us" or "Who We Are" give you more detailed information about the organization or author?
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Accuracy
The source should contain accurate and up-to-date information that can be verified by other sources.
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- Can facts or statistics be verified through another source?
- Based on your knowledge, does the information seem accurate? Does it match the information found in other sources?
- Are there spelling or grammatical errors?
- For websites, do other reliable websites link to this one?
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Scope / Relevance
It is important that the source meets the information needs and requirements of your research assignment.
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- Does the source cover your topic comprehensively or does it cover only one aspect?
- To what extent does the source answer your research question?
- Is the source considered popular or scholarly?
- Is the terminology and language used easy to understand?
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Currency / Date
Some written works are ageless (e.g., classic literature) while others (e.g., technological news) become outdated quickly. It is important to determine if currency is pertinent to your research.
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- When was the source written and published?
- Has the information been updated recently?
- Is currency important to your research?
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Objectivity / Bias / Reliability
Every author has an opinion. Recognizing this is instrumental in determining if the information presented is objective or biased. |
- What is the purpose or motive for the source (educational, commercial, entertainment, promotional, etc.)?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the author pretending to be objective, but really trying to persuade, promote or sell something?
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Style / Functionality
Style and functionality may be of lesser concern. However, if the source is not well-organized, its value is diminished.
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- Is the source well-written and organized?
- To what extent is it professional looking?
- For websites, can you navigate around easily?
- For websites, are links broken?
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