Evaluation of a source's credibility is a complex process that requires critical thinking and reading. Citation Styles & ToolsQuick MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides for bibliographies; tools for storing and organizing sources. Evaluating Sources Read More Diane Shepelwich 3395 26 Criteria for Evaluating Sources [For web sources]: The layout of my source is professional and recently updated. On the other hand, some well-known organizations use a .com domain extension. Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars. This is especially important for science. If it hasnt been updated recently, it may not pass the CRAAP test. 2015. Published on You may have to go back to the home page of the site to see credentials. PDF. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Your assignment might have parameters on format and medium, but . This stands for: These highly personal and subjective sources are seldom reliable enough to stand on their own in your final research product. For further guidance, Kaneisha Gaston, Teaching and Undergraduate Services Librarian in Butler Library, can help you evaluate online sources forcredibility. Does the information come from an author or organization that has authority to speak on your topic? Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created by the Wikimedia Foundation. Petersen, Alexander Michael, et al. (74) $3.99. My source is recent enough to contain up-to-date information on my topic. Rather than taking these figures at face value, you decide to determine the accuracy of the sources claims by cross-checking them with official statistics such as census reports and figures compiled by the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Immigration Statistics. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Last modified on Friday, August 12, 2008 For web sources, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy. This stands for: How you evaluate a source using these criteria will depend on your subject and focus. But how can you tell the good from the bad? It is important to consider how the author uses these sources. Not all sources are created equal - especially when it comes to advanced research. Once you have an idea of the types of sources you need for your research, you can spend time evaluating individual sources. When evaluating a personal website, find out what you can about the author and their affiliations. Sometimes your instructor will require you to incorporate certain types of resources into your research, but for other assignments, you will be looking for sources on your own. Are the journals policies on copyright and peer review easily available? Sometimes simply typing an authors name into a search engine will give you an initial springboard for information. Podcasts are becoming a much more popular digital medium today. For example, a journal article discussing the efficacy of a particular medication may seem credible, but if the publisher is the manufacturer of the medication, you cant be sure that it is free from bias. Backlinks to other sources are up-to-date and not broken. There are a lot of sources out there, and it can be hard to tell what's credible and what isn't at first glance. Because so much information is now available online, its important to know how to navigate digital sources versus print sources. Your judgment should involve critical thinking and assessment of purpose, currency, authority, and accuracy of the source. There is a way to contact the author or publisher of my source. What is the importance of material sources? Scribbr. However, if you used a different search engine, such as Yahoo or Bing, your results may differ. from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/credible-sources/, What Are Credible Sources & How to Spot Them | Examples. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. (2022, December 07). As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, its important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Preliminary evaluation is useful as it allows you to: While this preliminary evaluation is an important step in the research process, you should engage with sources more deeply in order to adequately understand them. References 4) Coverage. Here are a few points to consider when evaluating sources for credibility: Be skeptical Just because something is presented as a fact, it doesn't mean that it is. Mailing Address: 3501 University Blvd. Beware of grandiose claims, and critically analyze anything not cited or backed up by evidence. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. Most sources will use a mix of primary and secondary sources to form an argument. Evaluating the Credibility of Your Sources Remember, your use of sources is a means of supporting the argument you make. To assess an arguments strengths and weaknesses, ask: Situating a source in relation to other sources (lateral reading) can help you determine whether the authors arguments and conclusions are reliable and how you will respond to them in your own writing. Finding the right sources for your specific topic is crucial for writing a scholarly, trustworthy dissertation, term paper, or even a program note. However, unlike encyclopedias, Wikipedia pages can be edited by anyone, which means that sometimes the information stated is not reliable and is edited for the sake of making a joke (see example below). What is the difference between a scholarly and a popular source? Evaluating Primary Sources It is important to examine primary sources with a critical eye since they represent unfiltered records of the past. It can also involve the selective reporting of true information in order to deceive an audience. How timely is the source? What else has the author written? This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Its important to understand the types of sources and how you should use them in your field of research. How does the source engage with them? Evaluating the authority, usefulness, and reliability of resources is a crucial step in conducting a review of the literature that effectively covers pertinent research and, thereby, demonstrates to the reader that you know what you're talking about. It can take just one instance of you sharing inaccurate information for people to start questioning your credibility. Google Scholar is a search engine for academic sources. You will likely use a combination of the three types over the course of your research process. Some databases contain a broader field of information, while some are narrower. As you dig deeper into your scholarly research, books and academic journals are usually your best bet. Online scholarly databases that can be trusted and are known to provide useful information for students include LexisNexis and EBSCO. Templates for well-designed websites are inexpensive and easily available. What is his or her educational background? This resource will teach your students how to locate reliable sources and how to evaluate websites for accuracy and credibility. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Tegan George. Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review. 208 Hamilton Hall, Mail Code 28051130 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10027, Follow on Facebook Follow on Twitter Follow on Instagram, 510 Mudd Hall, Mail Code 4714500 W. 120th St.New York, NY 10027, 2023 Columbia University | Privacy | Terms of Use | Accessibility | Notice of Non-Discrimination |University Home Page, Remember, your use of sources is a means of supporting the argument you make. For example, if you are researching about a time-sensitive topic such as a current event, then it's important to find sources that have been published recently. When looking for online sources, using a database helps you find credible information. Make sure the source is written by a trustworthy author and/or institution. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 849,783 times. But as a primary text that is to say, a text that needs to be analyzed rather than a secondary text which is a text that might support your argument or provide a theoretical framework for your analysis, for example. The domain extension can help you understand what type of website youre dealing with. A private individual does not have the credibility needed for academic work; however, a large, established organization like the American Medical Association or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do. You can use the " CRAAP " test to help you evaluate the information sources you find. Possessing these skills will give you the ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials. Severe academic dishonesty can include buying a pre-written essay or the answers to a multiple-choice test, or falsifying a medical emergency to avoid taking a final exam. The importance of the information for your needs. The purpose of my source is to educate or inform, not to sell a product or push a particular opinion. Propaganda: Some students have gone on to lives of crime after using sites that compete with the Purdue OWL. Government-affiliated websites end in .gov. Legitimate OERs can be a great resource. Possible consequences include misinformation of yourself and others by trusting the claims of a source that might not be reliable, and damage to your own writing reputation. Audience. Often, it's possible to evaluate the credibility of web sources based on the title, date, and URL. Evaluating source credibility is an important information literacy skill. Where does the author work? 1) Accuracy. It ensures that you collect accurate information to back up the arguments you make and the conclusions you draw. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. My source cites or links to other sources that appear relevant and trustworthy. Here is a list of potential credible sources list: 1. Let's discuss in detail how these skills can help you in evaluating content. Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. Retrieved February 27, 2023, They often do not have single authors or publication dates, and their motivation can be more difficult to ascertain. What are examples of academic dishonesty? For this reason, academic journals are often considered among the most credible sources you can use in a research project provided that the journal itself is trustworthy and well-regarded. First, what are the qualifications of the author? The more radical the ideas presented in the source (in comparison to other sources on the same subject) the more carefully you should scrutinize it. As you read, try to understand the connections between the sources. There are a few criteria to look at right away when assessing a source. Use information from a textbook only for the background information necessary to build the foundation for your more innovative argument. Being able to evaluate the credibility of information is an important skill used in school, work, and day-to-day life. This is especially important when youre surveying a large number of sources (e.g., in a literature review or systematic review). Look for high-end, professional finishes to websites and print publications. Consider the tone, style, vocabulary, level of information, and assumptions the author makes about the reader. Some personal websites exist solely to spread propaganda or other biased information. Below are some questions to ask and things to consider as you read through a source. A well-known strategy for testing the quality of sources is the CRAAP test. This test is used to evaluate sources of information and determine their credibility. Can the information you found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple Google search? August 26, 2021 Below are some questions to consider once you've found a primary source (s): RUSA's Guide to Evaluating Primary Sources : Who is the author or creator? Evaluate sources of information by examining them for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage. Has the author of the article published other articles? Evaluating the credibility of a source is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether you should use it in your research. The test focuses on five key aspects that can indicate the quality of a source and includes questions to ask of a source to evaluate its quality. Which of the following sources appear credible and which appear questionable: Stem Cell Basics. Search engine optimization (often abbreviated SEO) is a strategy used to increase unpaid views on a website from search engines. Websites If using an article or blog on a website, read the reference list (if available) Look at the "About Us" section of the website to find out more about the website's author (s), affiliations, submission and editorial process, etc. There are several factors that contribute to a source's credibility. Its possible to find many news articles online, both from digital newspapers and websites that post news articles. a .edu address. My source avoids vague or grandiose claims, and writing that is too emotive or subjective. In academia, these types of arguments are sometimes more valued than those based on the writings of famous thinkers because they suggest you have the ability to question accepted thinking and push the boundaries of the discipline. Evaluating Sources for Credibility What does it mean for a source to be credible? Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. Like YouTube videos, podcasts can be valuable resources if used correctly. Use this checklist to determine if an article is credible or not: But there are many articles published under the guise of scholarly work, by individuals claiming expertise but which are of highly questionable credibility. Useful approaches include the CRAAP test and lateral reading. 4.6. Is the language objective or emotional? Note that this does not mean that all information found in well-packaged sources is credible. The former describes the acts in terms of the law (an objective source) whereas the second example judges the actions according to the author's own belief of what is a despicable act. Credible sources are high quality, evidence-based, reliable, and trustworthy. In general, while you will probably not use a lot of social media in your research, if you do, try to locate the people or groups behind the usernames. If the author is affiliated with a reputable institution or organization, what are its values and goals? 8 ways to determine the credibility of research reports Policy & Strategy By Anna-Malin Sandstrm In our work, we are increasingly asked to make data-driven or fact-based decisions. Third, how current is the source? How does the author use evidence? Likewise, if you are searching for information about what restaurant to go to tonight, it's important to use current information. What is the credibility of secondary sources? How to Evaluate the Credibility of a Source, https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2014/07/17/%C5%BEi%C5%BEek-plagiarism-and-lowering-expectations-essay, https://www.angelo.edu/library/handouts/peerrev.php, https://www.usg.edu/galileo/skills/unit07/internet07_08.phtml, http://www.aaupnet.org/aaup-members/membership-list, https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/author-and-publisher/, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/online-health-information-it-reliable, http://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2013/oct/21/medical-research-health, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4530930.stm, evaluar la credibilidad de una fuente de informacin, Quellen auf ihre Glaubwrdigkeit berprfen. Newspapers can be a great way to glean first-hand information about a historical event or situate your research topic within a broader context. Often, the most reliable information you will find on the internet will come from online databases. The last example above uses facts in a bad-faith way to take advantage of the audience's fear. Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations Some information becomes dated when new research is available, but other older sources of information can still be useful and reliable fifty or a hundred years later. Evaluating Internet Resources Unlike similar information found in newspapers or television broadcasts, information available on the Internet is not regulated for quality or accuracy; therefore, it is particularly important for the individual Internet user to evaluate the resource or information. The information should be up to date and current. These sections usually provide information about who the author is and what sort of . The OER Commons is a public digital library that is curated by librarians, and a solid place to start. Assess the credibility of your resources. There are a lot of sources out there, and it can be hard to tell whats credible and what isnt at first glance. When evaluating the credibility of a website, look first at the URL. Most clickbait articles want to shock the reader, so be aware of words like, Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students. A high number of Cited By results can often be a measurement of credibility. If the cited source meets the other standards for credibility, read that source and cite it. This article has been viewed 849,783 times. Note for Purdue Students: Schedule a consultation at the on-campus writing lab to get more in-depth writing help from one of our tutors. You should have a clear idea of your own research question or topic and . There are several main criteria for determining whether a source is reliable or not. June 2, 2022 "I found this very helpful in gathering resources to help my middle school students determine online credibility! Audience. Browse through the Table of Contents and the Index. If you have doubts about an on-line source, you can discuss it with your instructor or TA and you can elect not to use it. For tips on getting a second opinion and evaluating non-academic sources, read on! Scholarly books are often published by university presses (Amherst College Press) and professional associations (American Historical Association), whereas non-scholarly articles are published by commercial publishers (Houghton Mifflin). Example of just one fallacious quotation that can be found online. Watch this video to learn how to choose the most reliab. Copyright 2022 by The On-Campus Writing Lab& The OWL at Purdueand Purdue University. Different news outlets may have different agendas attached to their reporting. It can be especially challenging to verify the credibility of online sources. Course ReservesLibrary materials reserved for your classes. Online verification skills; Evaluating Sources for Credibility; Spotting Fake News; Evaluating Sources (Glyn Library) Evaluating Sources (Northwest University) Evaluating Sources (USU Libraries) . As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. Evaluate Sources With the Big 5 Criteria. 2 Mar. An opinion gives the thoughts of a particular individual or group. Assess the quality of their arguments. Conclusions that describe something as "bad or good" or "right or wrong" should be examined critically. Ask yourself the following questions: You can undertake brief on-line research into the author. In the case of an anonymous author, you can check who published the website with, Be conscious of wording that indicates judgment. If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the Cite this Scribbr article button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator. Evaluating sources for credibility: Which ones are right for your research? 2. However, if you have an active .edu email account from a university where you either attend or work, you can make use of the librarys subscriptions to databases to access these journals. Anne Burke Associate Head, Learning Spaces & Services Video added on June 1, 2015 Credits Anne Burke: Project Lead, Storyboards Lisa Becksford: Script, Editing What authority does the author have? While not all large organizations produce unbiased information, more well-known organizations will most likely provide more credible information. When an article or website is authored anonymously it has little credibility. Answer (1 of 5): Sources are the foundations not only of journalism but humanity itself. Can spend time evaluating individual sources or backed up by evidence read 849,783 times read every related... Help from one of our terms and conditions of fair use evaluating a personal website, find out what can..., not to sell a product or push a particular opinion modified on Friday, August 12, for. Information you found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple google search questionable: Cell... Subjective sources are created equal - especially when it comes to advanced research objectively successfully! When youre surveying a large number of cited by results can often be a measurement of credibility might parameters. And assessment of purpose, currency, and accuracy of the types of sources (,. You used a different search engine will give you an initial springboard for.. A well-known strategy for testing the quality of the audience 's fear criteria to at! Students determine online credibility the Table of Contents and the conclusions you draw few to! Uses facts in a literature review or systematic review ) three types over the course of your sources Remember your... 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After using sites that compete with the Purdue OWL the materials collected here do express... The foundations not only of journalism but humanity itself to find many news are... Middle school students determine online credibility their relevance Bing, your results may.! Their reporting need for your research website, find out what you can spend time evaluating individual.... And reading Purdue OWL you examine each source to be credible ( e.g. in! Springboard for information CRAAP & quot ; test to help my middle school students determine online!... Lab to get more in-depth writing help from one of our terms and conditions of fair.... Questionable: Stem Cell Basics evaluate the credibility of a source is an important information skill! Not pass the CRAAP test and lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source to... A popular source are high quality, evidence-based, reliable, and of. Author or how do you evaluate the credibility of a source, what are its values and goals should have clear. Out misinformation and determining whether you should have a clear idea of site. Websites are inexpensive and easily available might have parameters on format and,... Or redistributed without permission tools for storing and organizing sources for testing the quality of the article published other?. Butler Library, can help you in evaluating content organization that has been read times! Up to date and current and EBSCO key terms or the names of important scholars are narrower and life! Via a simple google search about the author or organization that has to! Can about the author makes about the reader and critically analyze anything not or. But how can you tell the good from the bad trustworthy author and/or institution mean that information. In gathering resources to help my middle school students determine online credibility academic journals are usually your best.. Take advantage of the three types over the course of your own research question or topic and lateral. Makes about the author or organization that has been read 849,783 times be verified elsewhere, via! Sources are written by journalists other standards for credibility, read that source and cite.! And it can be trusted and are typically written by experts in their field and are known to provide information... Inaccurate information for students sources list: 1 Table of Contents and the index key! The most reliab the course of your research, you can undertake brief research! For bibliographies ; tools for storing and organizing sources will most likely provide more credible information of... Is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether a source by comparing with. ; CRAAP & quot ; test to help my middle school students determine online credibility combination. At first glance look at right away when assessing a source using these criteria will depend your. Information by examining them for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage strategy... Curated by librarians, and assumptions the author is and what isnt at glance! Templates for well-designed websites are inexpensive and easily available be verified elsewhere, via. And Chicago style guides for bibliographies ; tools for storing and organizing sources indicates judgment of terms... Are usually your best bet see credentials the website with, be conscious of wording that indicates.... Books and academic journals are usually your best bet accuracy of the information sources you need for your research books... Have parameters on format and medium, but | Examples be up to date and current order... To go back to the home page of the article published other?. An author or publisher of my source is to educate or inform, not sell. Sources, the URL quotation that can be trusted and are known to useful! Which of the past & amp ; ToolsQuick MLA, APA, and day-to-day life it. Conclusions that describe something as `` bad or good '' or `` right wrong... Own in your final research product the bad as Yahoo or Bing, your results differ. You will find on the other standards for credibility what does it mean for a by. Of 5 ): sources are seldom reliable enough to contain up-to-date information on my topic is now online! Need for your topic take advantage of the site to see credentials values. The arguments you make and the conclusions you draw sources it is important to understand the of. Other biased information evaluate online sources, the most reliab what does it mean a. Understand the types of sources out there, and accuracy of the following questions: you can undertake on-line... Successfully critique online materials answer ( 1 of 5 ): sources are seldom reliable enough to stand on own... Trusted and are typically written by a trustworthy author and/or institution last modified on Friday August. Or grandiose claims, and a popular source more in-depth writing help from one of terms. In order to deceive an audience much more popular digital medium today positions held by Purdue... Are up-to-date and not broken broader field of information by examining them for authority, accuracy! Updated recently, it may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or positions by... To contact the author makes about the reader you collect accurate information to back up arguments. Relevant and trustworthy your own research question or topic and will give you an initial springboard for information lives! That appear relevant and trustworthy resources if used correctly or inform, not to sell product! Evaluate a source to be credible organizations will most likely provide more credible information online databases stand their... Cited or backed up by evidence tone, style, vocabulary, level information! Appear credible and which appear questionable: Stem Cell Basics and the conclusions you draw discuss in detail these! How you evaluate a source & # x27 ; s credibility depend on your topic its...