When doing research, you should use a variety of sources such as books; articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals; and websites.
To ensure you are including only valid information in your research, EVALUATE YOUR SOURCES using the criteria below.
| Criteria |
Questions to Ask |
|
Authority / Credibility
Determining the author for a source is important in deciding whether the information is credible. The author should show some evidence of being knowledgeable, reliable, and truthful.
|
- Who is the author (person, company, or organization)?
- Does the source provide any information that leads you to believe the author is an expert on the topic?
- Can you describe the author's background (experience, education, knowledge)?
- Does the author provide citations? Do you think they are reputable?
|
|
Accuracy
The source should contain accurate and up-to-date information that can be verified by other sources.
|
- 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?
|
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Some written works are ageless (e.g., classic literature) while others (e.g., technological news) become outdated quickly.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 the currency is pertinent to your research. |
- When was the source written and published?
- Has the information been updated recently?
- Is currency pertinent to your research?
|
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?
|
