Source Evaluation
When we look for information on a subject, we find all kinds of sources, from scholarly research studies to news reports to personal blog posts and opinion pieces. The BAR Rubric helps you assess each source of information to determine if it is a good choice for your purposes.
Keep in mind: Information is created for different reasons and audiences, and not all sources will work for your college assignments.
BAR: Are You Setting the BAR High Enough with Your Sources?
BAR Rubric:
BIAS:
- What perspective does this source take?
- What is the purpose of this information? Is it to educate and inform? To persuade? To entertain?
- Look up the publisher of the source. What is its mission or politics?
- Is this information balanced or does it present a one-sided appeal?
ACCURACY:
- What kind of evidence is provided for claims made?
- Can claims be verified through other sources?
- Look the source up in Wikipedia. What does it say about the purpose and reliability of the source?
- Is it current enough?
AUTHORITY:
- What kind of expertise does the creator of the information have?
- Are they a researcher or an academic? A journalist? An advocate? Someone speaking from firsthand experience?
RELEVANCE:
- You may have found a source that meets the first three standards, but is it relevant enough to your focus?
- Why does this source belong in your research project?
Download the BAR Source Evaluation Rubric.
