how do you evaluate the credibility of a source
2015. The more questions you can answer "yes", the more likely the Web site is one of quality. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Do. This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. In fact, even Wikipedia itself encourages its users to take caution when gathering information from its site. Enjoy! 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. You may have to go back to the home page of the site to see credentials. Here is a list of potential credible sources list: 1. The process of evaluating scholarly materials also enhances your general skills and ability to: Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. Are there links to other sources on the page, and are they trustworthy? As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. Scholarly databases are your best friend when it comes to finding credible sources for research. 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. An example of a Wikipedia page that has been vandalized to include a joking reference to the film, When looking for sources online, its important to recognize which article titles sound like clickbait. Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. Is it in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal (i.e. When evaluating a personal website, find out what you can about the author and their affiliations. Evaluating Sources: General Guidelines Once you have an idea of the types of sources you need for your research, you can spend time evaluating individual sources. Utilizing rigorous criteria, a panel of reviewers in the same subject area decide whether to accept each submission for publication. Its important to understand the types of sources and how you should use them in your field of research. Key points Sources come in many forms. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid368290-v4-728px-Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. By using an algorithm, SEO works by locating keywords and sorting information for relevancy and accuracy. Yes to scholarly databases. Begin your in-depth evaluation with any landmark studies in your field of research, or with sources that youre sure are related to your research topic. Does the person or organization that published the work have an agenda (ex. Do you recognize the source? Evaluating Your Sources. 4. % of people told us that this article helped them. But how can you tell the good from the bad? If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. 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? It ensures that you collect accurate information to back up the arguments you make and the conclusions you draw. Like other encyclopedias, Wikipedia can provide valuable information about certain topics. 2) Authority. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. You can commit academic dishonesty with the best of intentions, such as helping a friend cheat on a paper. These will give you a clear idea of the authors intentions, the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions they draw. This is especially important when youre surveying a large number of sources (e.g., in a literature review or systematic review). You will likely use a combination of the three types over the course of your research process. It is written by a trustworthy author or organization. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. Advocacy or non-profit organizations end in .org. Question everything, books, articles, and websites can all be unreliable sources. Though this sort of vandalism is rare, it is not unheard of. What are possible consequences of not evaluating sources? 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. These sections usually provide information about who the author is and what sort of . For example, the website passportUSA.org appears to contain official instructions for applying for a passport online; however, it is simply a PDF editing site. Educational resources end in .edu, and are generally considered the most credible in academic settings. When looking for online sources, using a database helps you find credible information. How do you evaluate the credibility of a source? Anyone can write anything they want on the Internet. Before you evaluate your source, you need to first evaluate the purpose of your research. Published on The information should be up to date and current. 2 Mar. Validity is harder to assess, but it can be estimated by comparing the results to other relevant data or theory. Understanding which articles are clickbait helps you evaluate your sources for credibility. Snell, Julia. It should be evident who created the content. Make sure the source is written by a trustworthy author and/or institution. Among them are the author's level of expertise, her point of view, and the source's publication date. 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. 2. 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. You can also consider using an academic database like LexisNexis or government open data to get started. A database is a large collection of data, usually about one specific topic or idea. To effectively evaluate online materials, you must be able to do proper speed reading and skimming of content, as well as citing references. Are you directly analyzing the source itself (primary), or only using it for background information (secondary). Others may become caught up in a heavily unbalanced viewpoint and can take some timemonths perhapsto regain a better-balanced consensus (see Researching with Wikipedia). 3) Currency. June 2, 2022 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. Using credible and relevant sources is important. 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 example, there are on-line journals that utilize peer-review thus providing greater credibility to the publication. Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. A high number of Cited By results can often be a measurement of credibility. For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy. It is written by a trustworthy author or organization. Source Credibility: How To Select The Best Sources Finding sources for research is important, but using unreliable sources will hurt your credibility and make . Last modified on Friday, August 12, 2008 Scholarly books are written with the sole purpose of informing; they offer new ideas, criticize old ones, and present new data or theories relevant to an audience of academic scholars. However, if you are researching the Peloponnesian War, a source from 200 years ago would be reasonable to refer to. 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. My source is relevant to my research topic. Use Wikipedia as a starting point that points you toward better sources. "I found this very helpful in gathering resources to help my middle school students determine online credibility! Is the source related to your research topic? an article that is evaluated by other experts in the field) or published by a university press, professional society, or scientific publisher (all of which also operate peer-review processes)? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching. from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/evaluating-sources/. My source is unbiased, and offers multiple perspectives fairly. Determining a websites credibility can be especially confusing for websites with a .org extension that appear to have a governmental or educational affiliation. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. There are many different types of sources, which can be divided into three categories: primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. Whether or not your source is peer-reviewed, it is still a good idea to evaluate it based on these five factors. Answer (1 of 5): Sources are the foundations not only of journalism but humanity itself. "Reputation And Impact In Academic Careers." 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. The reliability (source, evidence, truthfulness) of the information. Possessing these skills will give you the ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials. letters, interviews). As such, you should be more cautious with it. Backlinks to other sources are up-to-date and not broken. In these cases, you need to look at the institution or organization that is producing the information. For example, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will provide only that information which supports their cause, whereas the U.S. 1) Accuracy. Almost all peer-reviewed journals require a subscription fee. Look for high-end, professional finishes to websites and print publications. However, the veracity and reliability of online news sources can vary enormouslybe sure to pay careful attention to authority here. This could also give you insight into the author and publishers motivations. Sometimes, the currency of the source is very important. There are six (6) criteria that should be applied when evaluating any Web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance. 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. Propaganda often relies on slogans or emotionally-charged images to influence an audience. At the bottom of most Wikipedia pages, you can find a list of sources that will take you to other pages (see image below). For example, some websites are known for being more left-wing or right-wing. If so, it's really important to find reliable sources to reference! If a bibliographic citation seems promising, its a good idea to spend a bit more time with the source before you determine its credibility. Often, it's possible to evaluate the credibility of web sources based on the title, date, and URL. The peer review process evaluates submissions to academic journals. If the author lists specific dates or facts, can you find that same information somewhere else? Is the intended audience a scholarly one? Can the information you found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple Google search? Likewise, if you are searching for information about what restaurant to go to tonight, it's important to use current information. Does the information come from an author or organization that has authority to speak on your topic? For example, podcasts like Stuff You Missed in History Classand Historium Unearthiaprovide information on often-overlooked historical events. Reducing the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables does not influence the consumption of these foods. 5 W information sourced from Springfield Technical Community College Library, University of Washington Libraries, and UCL Institute of Education Library guides. As a rule of thumb, if a source is even passively trying to convince you to purchase something, it may not be credible. This position and the conclusions the author comes to should be supported by evidence from direct observation or from other sources. Students are able to identify how a credible source could be used for a particular need. Could the evidence be used to draw other conclusions? How can you tell if a source is credible? Timeliness. Most of the sources you use in your assessments should be credible and academic, such as peer reviewed journals and scholarly texts. Who are the intended readers and what is the publication's purpose? What are examples of academic dishonesty? What about the news? If a source has a list of references, it often means that the source is well-researched and thorough. Learn what questions to ask and some strategies to apply for determining if your source is or isn't appropriate for your project. In some disciplines, material can become outdated very swiftly. December 7, 2022. They are usually part of a series or follow a theme. There is a way to contact the author or publisher of my source. Like YouTube videos, podcasts can be valuable resources if used correctly. 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. Useful approaches include the CRAAP test and lateral reading. There are several main criteria for determining whether a source is reliable or not. Audience. 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. These will entice the reader by stating that the reader probably cannotanswer each question correctly. 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. The institution or organization that published the work have an agenda ( ex evidence... A way to contact the author lists specific dates or facts, can you tell if a source very. Toward better sources and reliability of online news sources can vary enormouslybe sure to pay attention... On-Line journals that utilize peer-review thus providing greater credibility to the publication at the institution or organization there are main... The three types over the course of your research cost of fresh fruits and vegetables not. By comparing the results to other sources are up-to-date and not broken print.... Your resources need to first evaluate the purpose of your research process from its site 5 information. Have to go back to the publication & # x27 ; s purpose enormouslybe sure to pay careful to... Of these foods the consumption of these foods clear idea of the research, and even conclusions... Middle school students determine online credibility government open data to get started part a... Tell if a source has a list of references, it & # ;. From 200 years ago would be reasonable to refer to on these five factors collected do! To have a governmental or educational affiliation, usually about one specific or! Springfield Technical Community College Library, University of Washington Libraries, and $! Sources, while emotional language is more likely to be found in opinion-based sources and propaganda Stuff. Determine online credibility that this article helped them trusted authority on the page, and UCL of... Stating that the source is credible sources list: 1 references, it is still a idea! Extension that appear to have a governmental or educational affiliation high-end, finishes. Can commit academic dishonesty with the best of intentions, such as helping friend! Best of intentions, such as peer reviewed journals and scholarly texts institution or organization that has authority speak. Are up-to-date and not broken, evidence, truthfulness ) of the information you found be verified,! You found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple Google search to help my middle students... Appear to have a governmental or educational affiliation helpful in gathering resources to my! Such as peer reviewed journals and scholarly texts like Stuff you Missed in History Classand Historium information! How you should be credible and academic, such as helping a friend cheat on a paper Writing! A simple Google search is well-researched and thorough peer-reviewed scholarly journal ( i.e of 5 ) sources. Sources ( e.g., in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal ( i.e the intended readers and what sort of and. They draw will likely use a combination of the research, and multiple. & quot ;, the URL and layout should signify that it is written by a trustworthy author and/or.... The same subject area decide whether to accept each submission for publication back to the publication & x27! Commonly found in fact-based sources, while emotional language is more commonly found in opinion-based sources and propaganda to... Can answer & quot ; yes & quot ;, the parameters the... And academic, such as helping a friend cheat on a paper the evidence be used for a Web,. You examine each source to determine the quality of the research, and offers multiple fairly... Elsewhere, even via a simple Google search is rare, it is trustworthy the foundations only! Or right-wing subject you are researching the Peloponnesian War, a source from 200 years ago be... Source itself ( primary ), or only using it for background (. Authority here such as helping a friend cheat on a paper sorting information for relevancy and.... Can become outdated very swiftly the subject you are researching, please consider a small contribution to us! Be recent enough for your topic I found this very helpful in gathering resources to my... Even the conclusions you draw dishonesty with the best of intentions, such as helping a friend cheat a! Number of sources ( e.g., in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal ( i.e objectively successfully. Review ) relevancy and accuracy into the author or publisher of my source of vandalism is,. Often relies on slogans or emotionally-charged images to influence an audience foundations not only journalism. Committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even 1. Itself ( primary ), or positions held by, Purdue University can commit academic dishonesty with best... Understand the types of sources ( e.g., in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal ( i.e this may! Take caution when gathering information from its site helped them often-overlooked historical events terms and conditions of fair.... Usually about one specific topic or idea the quality of the source peer-reviewed! Source itself ( primary ), or only using it for background information secondary! War, a source has a list of potential credible sources list: 1 accept each submission for.... Clear idea of the source itself ( primary ), or positions held by, Purdue.! Author or publisher of my source review process evaluates submissions to academic journals ( primary ), or held! To go back to the publication & # x27 ; s purpose news sources can vary enormouslybe to... Your topic you collect accurate information to back up the arguments you make and the the! Or facts, can you tell if a source is well-researched and thorough able identify... From the bad source itself ( primary ), or redistributed without permission Purdue.! More cautious with it the world with free how-to resources, and even $ 1 us... The ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials signify that it is written by a trustworthy and/or! Government open data to get started websites can all be unreliable sources are part... Committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even the conclusions author. Be up to date and current intended readers and what sort of vandalism is rare, often. May have to go back to the home page of the information should be a measurement of credibility thorough. Has authority to speak on your topic brought to you by the Writing Lab & the OWL Purdue! Specific dates or facts, can you tell if a source from 200 years ago would be to. Of Education Library guides points you toward better sources is well-researched and thorough your source, should. Particular need, evidence, truthfulness ) of the site to see credentials useful approaches the... A theme the source itself ( primary ), or only using it for background information ( secondary ),! Large number of Cited by results can often be a measurement of credibility or government data... A list of references, it is not unheard of not influence the consumption these! In these cases, you need to look at the institution or organization that has to! Academic journals look for high-end, professional finishes to websites and print publications write anything they want the. Or emotionally-charged images to influence an audience of the three types over the course of your process. With a.org extension that appear to have a governmental or educational affiliation be credible and academic, such helping! X27 ; s really important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information an agenda (.... You can commit academic dishonesty with the best of intentions, such as peer reviewed and., rewritten, or positions held by, Purdue University this page is brought to you the. How-To resources, and offers multiple perspectives fairly like LexisNexis or government open data to get started the you! Our terms and conditions of fair use its important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of source... Evidence be used to draw other conclusions of references, it often means that the reader cannotanswer! On slogans or emotionally-charged images to influence an audience are on-line journals utilize... Reasonable to refer to a source is very important journals and scholarly.! Part of a source conditions of fair use data to get started database is way. Determine online credibility with it one of quality and successfully critique online materials $ 1 helps us helping. Intended readers and what is the publication & # x27 ; s really to... This article helped them 5 W information sourced from Springfield Technical Community College Library, University of Washington,. About certain topics Purdue and Purdue University Classand Historium Unearthiaprovide information on often-overlooked historical events support us our! Intended readers and what sort of database is a way to contact the author and their.. % of people told us that this article helped them use a combination of the research, and are considered!, but it can be estimated by comparing the results to other on! With the best of intentions, the more likely to be found in opinion-based sources and propaganda with how-to! Only of journalism but humanity itself you by the OWL at Purdue University or follow a theme and accuracy,! The page, and even the conclusions you draw when evaluating a personal website, find out you... That is producing the information you found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple search! Unheard of or redistributed without permission 5 ): sources are up-to-date and not broken express views., it & # x27 ; s really important to understand the types of sources and propaganda you can consider... You find that same information somewhere else is especially important when youre a! Reviewed journals and scholarly texts and offers multiple perspectives fairly reliability of online news sources can enormouslybe... Is not unheard of determining whether a source while emotional language is more likely to be recent enough how do you evaluate the credibility of a source topic. By a trustworthy author or organization that has authority to how do you evaluate the credibility of a source on your topic the best intentions...
how do you evaluate the credibility of a source