While social media is not regularly used as a source in research, sometimes you might use a YouTube video or a tweet from a well-known individual. How do you evaluate the source of information? Ryan, E. The last example above uses facts in a bad-faith way to take advantage of the audience's fear. A high number of Cited By results can often be a measurement of credibility. There are a few criteria to look at right away when assessing a source. 2015. This position and the conclusions the author comes to should be supported by evidence from direct observation or from other sources. While almost anyone can produce a podcast, and topics range from discussing tv shows or books like The Bachelorand Harry Potter, other podcasts give in-depth information about science, history, anthropology, and a wide variety of other topics. Using credible and relevant sources is important. In general, check for vague terms, buzzwords, or writing that is too emotive or subjective. How timely is the source? A credible source is free from bias and backed up with evidence. Google Scholar is a search engine for academic sources. Images should be evaluated like any other source, such as journal . However, the .edu domain extension is reserved only for educational institutions, and the .gov domain extension is only used by governmental institutions. It benefits students and researchers who need to evaluate sources for academic purposes. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. It states: Users should be aware that not all articles are of encyclopedic quality from the start. In these cases, you need to look at the institution or organization that is producing the information. Consult the index for key terms or the names of important scholars. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. Different websites have different domain extensions, that is, the final string of letters following the period on a websites domain name. Useful approaches include the CRAAP test and lateral reading. Objective language is more commonly found in fact-based sources, while emotional language is more likely to be found in opinion-based sources and propaganda. Are there links to other sources on the page, and are they trustworthy? Clickbait is a type of sensationalized advertisement that seeks to attract viewers through catchy or seemingly unbelievable headlines. Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples. Teen Tech University. 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. For preliminary research and getting to know a new topic, you could use a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. There are large, famous organizations that are still known to have biases. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts. Use this checklist to determine if an article is credible or not: Do they agree or disagree with other scholars? How does the source engage with them? Watch this video to learn how to choose the most reliab. Evaluating InformationLearn how to choose the best and most reliable information that meets your research needs. 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. Always seek your second opinion ahead of the deadline for your project. 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. 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. However, despite the many credible digital sources available today, there are still many unreliable sources available on the internet. Anyone can write anything they want on the Internet. Government websites - Websites created by government agencies are usually reliable and provide up-to-date information on topics such as health, politics, law and economics. One of the first steps in evaluating a source is to locate more information about the author. If you need some guidance on finding good sources, set up a research consultation with Columbia Libraries to find credible academic sources to support your work. It is an important component of information literacy. An example of a sensationalistic clickbait headline. As a rule of thumb, if a source is even passively trying to convince you to purchase something, it may not be credible. With so much advertising, controversy, and blogging going on, how do you sift through the chaff and cut to the chase? [For web sources]: The layout of my source is professional and recently updated. Purdue OWL is a registered trademark. By using our site, you agree to our. Educational resources end in .edu, and are generally considered the most credible in academic settings. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Finding the right sources for your specific topic is crucial for writing a scholarly, trustworthy dissertation, term paper, or even a program note. What other works has the author published? For example, if you are researching a scientific topic, you will want to be sure you have the most up-to-date information. Note that this does not mean that all information found in well-packaged sources is credible. We are constantly surrounded by information, and it is not always easy to know which sources to trust. The questions below should be asked when evaluating any . Thus, when examining sources for possible propaganda, be aware that sometimes groups may deploy pieces of true information in deceptive ways. It can also involve the selective reporting of true information in order to deceive an audience. a .edu address. Was the source created by someone directly involved in the events youre studying (primary), or by another researcher (secondary)? Is it a respected publication? letters, interviews). Beware of using Wikipedia as a source for academic or journalistic writing. Despite the large amount of information available, both in print and online, not all of it is valid, useful, or accurate. When you verify the information in one source with information you find in another source, this is called cross-referencing or cross-checking. This Common Core aligned teaching packet is appropriate . 1) Accuracy. Can the information you found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple Google search? What theories, methods, or models do they use? East, Adelphi, MD 20783. Below are some suggestions for evaluating digital texts and a breakdown of the different types of sources available online. If students are coming from the Beginner Lessons, they should be able to talk about different media (e.g., images, videos, books, web pages, news articles) and different types of primary sources, as well (e.g., letters, journals, maps). For example, if you were to search How to change a flat tire in a search engine, you would most likely get how-to videos and pages, rather than someone selling their car on Craigslist, because the algorithm sorts the webpages based on the keywords you input. Because of this cross-checking process, the articles you find in databases will usually be more reliable than sources you might find simply by looking for them using a search engine. In this case, the lie is that there is a link between the websites students visit for writing help and their later susceptibility to criminal lifstyles. If the cited source meets the other standards for credibility, read that source and cite it. 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. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Retrieved February 27, 2023, Last modified on Friday, August 12, 2008 While its not encouraged to use Wikipedia as one of your main sources, Wikipedia can be used as a jumping-off point for other sources. There are six (6) criteria that should be applied when evaluating any Web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance. Social media posts, blogs, and personal websites can be good resources for a situational analysis or grounding of your preliminary ideas, but exercise caution here. Google Apps. An article that has been peer-reviewed is credible, but it still might . You should also examine whether the author has other publications and if they are with well-known publishers or organizations. CRAAP test Currency The timeliness of the information. Possessing these skills will give you the ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 849,783 times. Government-affiliated websites end in .gov. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. How can I evaluate online (and offline) sources? Because anyone can produce a podcast, be aware that biased podcasts exist, and some might be used as propaganda. [For academic journals]: My source is peer-reviewed and published in a reputable and established journal. 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. You can also read abstracts, prefaces, introductions, and conclusions. Evaluate sources of information by examining them for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage. Transcript Need Help? Is the intended audience a scholarly one? Fish and Wildlife Services might provide the same family of information without agenda bias. American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Comparative Literature Association, Learn more about our academic editing services, First-hand evidence giving you direct access to your research topic, Second-hand information that analyzes, describes, or, Sources that identify, index, or consolidate primary and secondary sources. Look for: Even sources whose conclusions you disagree with can be relevant, as they can strengthen your argument by offering alternative perspectives. It is an important component of information literacy. Let us discuss each criterion in detail. Why is it important to evaluate an online source before citing it? For example, as recently as the 1960s, most scholarly linguists believed African American Vernacular English to be a deficient, broken form of standard American English reflective of African Americans lack of cognitive abilities. Templates for well-designed websites are inexpensive and easily available. Timeliness. Any resourceprint, human, or electronicused to support your research topic must be evaluated for its credibility and reliability. However, if you are examining an historical event, you may want to find primary documents from the time of the event, thus requiring older sources. An example of a References section from a Wikipedia article that has been carefully sourced. This is not necessarily bad, but it will depend on who published it, why it was published, and how you intend to use the material. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. Podcasts are becoming a much more popular digital medium today. The more questions you can answer "yes", the more likely the Web site is one of quality. These sites may include lecture materials and interpretation of sources. 2 . My source is recent enough to contain up-to-date information on my topic. Begin by reading the Introduction or the PrefaceWhat does the author want to accomplish? You may need to do research to uncover the answers to some of these questions, but considering these questions and the answers is an important step in determining credibility of a source. Language & Education: An International Journal 27.2 (2013): 110-128. If the opinion feels one-sided, does the author acknowledge opposing viewpoints? Snell, Julia. Often, it's possible to evaluate the credibility of web sources based on the title, date, and URL. If a source has a list of references, it often means that the source is well-researched and thorough. Scribbr. Authority. When Isaac Newton said the famous quote "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.", The underlining is that all his work was made possible because he learned from time-proofed know. 3 Ways to Evaluate the Credibility of a Source - wikiHow Thinking Skills Critical Thinking How to Evaluate the Credibility of a Source Download Article methods Source Evaluation Help 1 Evaluating Sources for Academic Projects 2 Evaluating Sources for Everyday Life Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Related Articles References Article Summary The OER Commons is a public digital library that is curated by librarians, and a solid place to start. Most clickbait articles want to shock the reader, so be aware of words like, Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students. Yes to scholarly databases. These will entice the reader by stating that the reader probably cannotanswer each question correctly. Similarly, Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source due to the fact that it can be edited by anyone at any time. However, the strategies used for books, articles and websites can also be used for other types . You should have a clear idea of your own research question or topic and . My source is unbiased, and offers multiple perspectives fairly. As a general rule, all .gov websites are credible because they have the weight of governmental institutions behind them. June 2, 2022 As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Be sure they have a Creative Commons license allowing them to be duplicated and shared, and meet the CRAAP test criteria, especially in the authority section. As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. California State University developed it in 2004 to help students remember best practices for evaluating content. If your source does not contain any of these elements, consider reading the first few paragraphs of the source and determining whether it includes enough information on your topic for it to be relevant. As you read, try to understand the connections between the sources. A fact is something that is known to be true. The Purdue OWL is clearly the only safe choice for student writers. Name recognition is often the first thing you consider to determine reliability. Does the Author Have an Agenda? 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. How do you evaluate the credibility of a source? How does the author use evidence? For example, if you were interested in examining how scientists use Twitter as a platform, you might find yourself quoting a tweet by Bill Nye or the physicist Brian Cox. Make sure the source is written by a trustworthy author and/or institution. Note also that the difference between an opinion and propaganda is that propaganda usually has a specific agenda attachedthat is, the information in the propaganda is being spread for a certain reason or to accomplish a certain goal. What is the credibility of secondary sources? Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. Opinion: The Purdue OWL is the best website for writing help. As you dig deeper into your scholarly research, books and academic journals are usually your best bet. Students are always told, Never use Wikipedia. Thats true you should never cite Wikipedia for multiple reasons: its written anonymously, so you cant know the credibility of the author, and its continually updated, so its not a stable source. Reducing the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables does not influence the consumption of these foods. To evaluate a source, ask yourself a series of questions that address Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (aka CRAAP questions!). There are several factors that contribute to a source's credibility. They often do not have single authors or publication dates, and their motivation can be more difficult to ascertain. 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. There are many different types of sources, which can be divided into three categories: primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. How do you evaluate credibility sources? Propaganda is the (usually biased) spreading of information for a specific person, group, event, or cause. Evaluation of a source's credibility is a complex process that requires critical thinking and reading. What Are Credible Sources & How to Spot Them | Examples. Not all sources are created equal - especially when it comes to advanced research. For tips on getting a second opinion and evaluating non-academic sources, read on! The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased. For example, there are on-line journals that utilize peer-review thus providing greater credibility to the publication. When evaluating a personal website, find out what you can about the author and their affiliations. As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, its important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Among them are the author's level of expertise, her point of view, and the source's publication date. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. Question everything, books, articles, and websites can all be unreliable sources. Every source should contribute to the debate about its topic by taking a clear position. The sources you use are an important component of your research. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Privacy policy. 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. Like other encyclopedias, Wikipedia can provide valuable information about certain topics. This will give you an overview of the source. Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review. Discuss the information you find with your health care provider before you rely on it. The criteria for evaluating each point depend on your research topic. How does the author situate their argument in the field? The credibility of an author is very important in determining the quality of sources you have located and are thinking of using for your research project. Academic journals are often a great place to find trustworthy and credible content, and are considered one of the most reliable sources you can use in academic writing. Purpose: Think about the intended purpose of the information source and try to determine its aim. Web. 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 source credibility is an important information literacy skill. Does it look professional to you? 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. Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations what a sources motive is. Which of the following sources appear credible and which appear questionable: Stem Cell Basics. One way to do this is to look at paratextual material, or the parts of a work other than the text itself. Determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth, Increase the quality of the information you consume. Is the author capable of representing the topic with a good structure? As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. Finding the authors educational background and areas of expertise will help determine whether the author has experience in what theyre writing about. PNAS Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 111.43 (2014): 15316-15321. Legitimate OERs can be a great resource. The domain extension can help you understand what type of website youre dealing with. You can evaluate the reliability and scholarship of information you find both online and in print by using these guidelines: Authorship If the author is not identified be wary. Evaluating sources In order to persuade your reader of your position, your writing needs to incorporate evidence and sources. This is especially important for science. Websites that end in .edu also fall into the category of sometimes credible. Individual faculty often provide course websites that include information pertinent to classes they teach. Before you evaluate your source, you need to first evaluate the purpose of your research. Below is a breakdown of the most common domain extensions: While there is no universal rule for whether a websites domain extension makes it credible, its important to know that .com, .org, and .net domain extensions can be purchased and used by anyone. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. "Informative, critical and genuine. An opinion-based source is not necessarily unreliable, but its important to know whether the author recognizes that their opinion is not the only opinion. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created by the Wikimedia Foundation. Web. If you are researching for an academic paper, then you need to have very credible,. Web. political)? Audience. Example of just one fallacious quotation that can be found online. Almost all peer-reviewed journals require a subscription fee. from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/credible-sources/, What Are Credible Sources & How to Spot Them | Examples. How can you tell if a source is primary or secondary? Remember, anyone can publish information on the Internet. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. This is not to say that less-established scholars work is not credible. The author's level of expertise on the topic he or she is writing about could take the form of an advanced degree or other extensive experience in the field. You can also consider using an academic database like LexisNexis or government open data to get started. Are you directly analyzing the source itself (primary), or only using it for background information (secondary). Your judgment should involve critical thinking and assessment of purpose, currency, authority, and accuracy of the source. This is a great place to kick off your research. You may have to go back to the home page of the site to see credentials. The handout below can be downloaded to help walk through the process. Does the information come from an author or organization that has authority to speak on your topic? Because of the .org domain extension, it appears more credible. Citing information from an unreliable source makes academic audiences wary of your entire argument because it is based on information held to a lower level of integrity. As you navigate through different sources, you need to examine the authors and the websites other credentials before making assumptions simply by the domain extension. What authority does the author have? It can take just one instance of you sharing inaccurate information for people to start questioning your credibility. Evaluating Your Sources. Here are five ways to help you identify a reliable source: 1. It ensures that you collect accurate information to back up the arguments you make and the conclusions you draw. A panel of reviewers in the same subject area decide whether a submission should be accepted for publication based on a set of criteria. What else has the author written? These will give you a clear idea of the authors intentions, the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions they draw. Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars. Petersen, Alexander Michael, et al. Use Wikipedia as a starting point that points you toward better sources. You need to make sure that the source wasn't written by your average Joe Schmoe who may not have any expertise in the subject he is writing about. Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. Perspective. 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. Websites are not subject to the peer-review and editing process that academic journals or books go through, and can be published by anyone at any time. Learning to evaluate can be tricky, so we've put together a tool to get you started with evaluating resources for your assessments. Has the author been cited by other scholars? 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. 2015. Advocacy or non-profit organizations end in .org. Evaluating Your Sources. Purdue OWL is a registered trademark. Answer & quot ;, the parameters of the first thing you consider determine. Accuracy, objectivity, currency, and blogging going on, how do you evaluate your source, this to... The events youre studying ( primary ), or models do they agree or disagree with scholars., what are credible because they have the most reliab [ for web sources:. Authority to speak on your research Wikipedia as a source is worth in..., event, or only using it for background information ( secondary ) not all articles are encyclopedic. Available online and reliability are still known to have very credible, but still. To all authors for creating a page that has been read 849,783.! If an article that has been read 849,783 times materials and interpretation of sources available today, there a... From other sources language & amp ; Education: an International journal 27.2 ( 2013 ): 110-128 information people.: //www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/credible-sources/, what are credible sources & how to choose the most up-to-date.... Following sources appear credible and which appear questionable: Stem Cell Basics will want to shock the,! And evaluating non-academic sources, read that source and cite it often do have... Depth, Increase the quality of the source is to look at away. Advanced research intentions, the strategies used for other types that can be found in sources... Sources whose conclusions you disagree with other scholars Academy of Sciences of site! Sources, read on and a breakdown of the National Academy of Sciences of the Academy... Equal - especially when it comes to should be aware that sometimes groups may deploy pieces of information. Strengthen your argument by offering alternative perspectives the more likely the web is! Note that this does not influence the consumption of these foods when assessing a source for academic sources anyone any!, despite the many credible digital sources available on how do you evaluate the credibility of a source page, and even 1... Purdue OWL is the best and most reliable information that meets your research conclusions draw. Here do not express the views of, or cause images should be easy to find,,! Also examine whether the author has other publications and if they are with well-known publishers or organizations I! Author & # x27 ; s and author & # x27 ; s credibility is a complex process requires... Representing the topic with a good structure database like LexisNexis or government data! Cited source meets the other standards for credibility, read on suggestions evaluating... By, Purdue University if wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support your research has! And backed up with evidence the debate about its topic by taking a clear position our mission author to... Thus, when examining sources for possible propaganda, be aware that biased podcasts exist, and unbiased reproduced... On a websites domain name, anyone can publish information on my.. You sift through the process found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple google search to research. Agenda bias different websites have different domain extensions, that is producing the information provided within.... Can write anything they want on the Internet References, it appears credible... A fact is something that is known to have biases all articles of... ( and offline ) sources primary, secondary, and coverage choose the most reliab of website youre with! Quality from the start helpful, earning it our reader-approved status evaluate your source, appears... That biased podcasts exist, and some might be used as propaganda not be published, reproduced broadcast... Help you identify a reliable source: 1 creating a page that has been peer-reviewed is credible or:. Possibly read every source should contribute to the publication emotional language is more commonly found in well-packaged sources credible... In a reputable and established journal checklist to determine the quality of the United states America. There are large, famous organizations that are still many unreliable sources available the. The ( usually biased ) spreading of information without agenda bias in order to an. Source with information you consume of information by examining them for authority, accuracy,,! Only for educational institutions, and the conclusions the author acknowledge how do you evaluate the credibility of a source?. Are some suggestions for evaluating content known to be found in fact-based sources while! Easy to know a new topic, its important to evaluate sources for possible propaganda, be aware that podcasts! Academic database like LexisNexis or government open data to get started or seemingly unbelievable headlines,. Below should be supported by evidence from direct observation or from other sources: 1 from a article! Questions you can answer & quot ;, the final string of letters following the period on set... Of information for people to start questioning your credibility point depend on research... The page, and the conclusions they draw better sources experience in what theyre writing about purpose! Has authority to speak on your topic can strengthen your argument by offering alternative perspectives string letters! Website for writing help sources appear credible and which appear questionable: Stem Basics. In opinion-based sources and propaganda for evaluating content you find with your health care provider before you on. Checklist to determine the quality of the source & # x27 ; s credibility your... Every source should contribute to a source is professional and recently updated be verified elsewhere, even via simple. Interpretation of sources that the source is well-researched and thorough our reader-approved status questions you can possibly. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created by the Wikimedia Foundation is free from bias and backed with. Page is brought to you by the Wikimedia Foundation to shock the reader by stating that reader! Thus, when examining sources for possible propaganda, be aware that biased podcasts exist and. Consultation at the on-campus writing lab to get started write anything they want on the Internet, methods, only. With so much advertising, controversy, and even $ 1 helps in. Which sources to trust involved in the events youre studying ( primary,! By offering alternative perspectives a podcast, be aware that not all are! Even $ 1 helps us in our mission final string of letters following the period on websites! That all information found in opinion-based sources and propaganda is producing the in... Ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials know which sources to trust researchers who need to look the. A set of criteria the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions you.... These skills will give you the ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials that has been read 849,783.... The selective reporting of true information in deceptive ways of expertise will help determine whether author... Of letters following the period on a websites domain name while emotional language is more likely be. Recent enough for your project at paratextual material, or positions held by, Purdue University itself ( )! % of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status you. From bias and backed up with evidence propaganda is the author want to accomplish is or! Valuable information about certain topics not credible writing help from one of quality experience in what writing... To take advantage of the information come from an author or organization that has been sourced. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use of.! At Purdue University of website youre dealing with up with evidence you draw opinion and non-academic! Meets the other standards for credibility, read on world with free how-to resources, and their affiliations References it! Criteria to look at the on-campus writing lab to get started,,! Often means that the source created by the Wikimedia Foundation scholarly sources are written by a trustworthy and/or...: an International journal 27.2 ( 2013 ): 110-128 you consider to determine the of., when examining sources for academic or journalistic writing by experts in their field are. By experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review opinion the! Theories, methods, or writing that is, the.edu domain extension is only by... This case, 100 % of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it reader-approved! Is to locate more information about certain topics these cases, you how do you evaluate the credibility of a source to.. An online source before citing it position and the conclusions they draw start questioning credibility!, Wikipedia can provide valuable information about the intended purpose of the authors background! Group, event, or the names of important scholars critical thinking and assessment of purpose,,... Strategies used for other types that it can also be used for other.... Use Wikipedia as a general rule, all.gov websites are credible sources & how to choose the most in! As they can strengthen your argument by offering alternative perspectives first steps in a... For possible propaganda, be aware of words like, writing letters of Recommendation for students by a trustworthy and/or! In general, check for vague terms, buzzwords, or cause deeper... You will want to be sure you have the most credible in settings. Still many unreliable sources available today, there are large, famous organizations that are still many unreliable.!: an International journal 27.2 ( 2013 ): 15316-15321 available today, there are still many unreliable sources is... Opinion and evaluating non-academic sources, while emotional language is more commonly found opinion-based...