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. Thus, when examining sources for possible propaganda, be aware that sometimes groups may deploy pieces of true information in deceptive ways. Determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth, Increase the quality of the information you consume. Let us discuss each criterion in detail. 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. Websites that end in .com or .org are credible if they're backed by respected institutions, but not if they have a clear bias or are created by a private individual. The domain extension can help you understand what type of website youre dealing with. Scribbr. For example, if you are researching cutting-edge scientific technology, a source from 10 years ago will not be sufficiently current. 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. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. 4) Coverage. The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. 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. 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. 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. For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy. There are a few criteria to look at right away when assessing a source. Different news outlets may have different agendas attached to their reporting. 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. To determine if a source is primary or secondary, ask yourself: Some types of source are nearly always primary: works of art and literature, raw statistical data, official documents and records, and personal communications (e.g. Evaluating Sources: Introduction Evaluating Sources: Introduction Evaluating sources means recognizing whether the information you read and include in your research is credible. Be aware of any credibility scandals that may have befallen even well-established academics. Citation databases will also tell you the number of times this source has been cited by other academics, giving you further insight into its credibility. PDF. If you are interested in using a YouTube video in your research, look at whether the publisher is a larger organization (such as TED or National Geographic) or a single user that only publishes under a username. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Whether or not your source is peer-reviewed, it is still a good idea to evaluate it based on these five factors. 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. A credible source should pass the CRAAP testand follow these guidelines: Peer review is a process of evaluating submissions to an academic journal. 2 Mar. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. This stands for: How you evaluate a source using these criteria will depend on your subject and focus. Your assignment might have parameters on format and medium, but . December 7, 2022. Determine whether they're relevant to your topic. Who are the intended readers and what is the publication's purpose? If youre just starting your research, you might look for sources that include more general information. 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. This article has been viewed 849,783 times. When writing a research paper, always use and cite credible sources. Facts are objective, while opinions and propaganda are subjective. Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations You should also examine whether the author has other publications and if they are with well-known publishers or organizations. It is important to critically evaluate images you use for research, study, and presentations. Like YouTube videos, podcasts can be valuable resources if used correctly. By using an algorithm, SEO works by locating keywords and sorting information for relevancy and accuracy. 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. Do they have credible work or study experience? For example, podcasts like Stuff You Missed in History Classand Historium Unearthiaprovide information on often-overlooked historical events. Though this sort of vandalism is rare, it is not unheard of. You may have found good information, but your provider can tell you whether it's good for you. However, if you are researching the Peloponnesian War, a source from 200 years ago would be reasonable to refer to. Government-affiliated websites end in .gov. Can you identify who the author is? 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. Propaganda often relies on slogans or emotionally-charged images to influence an audience. (74) $3.99. What is the importance of material sources? As you dig deeper into your scholarly research, books and academic journals are usually your best bet. Backlinks to other sources are up-to-date and not broken. What theories, methods, or models do they use? what a sources motive is. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. For example, critical theorist Slavoj ieks reputation and credibility has been significantly damaged after a 2014 accusation of plagiarism. It is an important component of information literacy. Was the source published on-line? If the author lists specific dates or facts, can you find that same information somewhere else? However, the veracity and reliability of online news sources can vary enormouslybe sure to pay careful attention to authority here. Before you evaluate your source, you need to first evaluate the purpose of your research. To evaluate internet sources: Finding the authors educational background and areas of expertise will help determine whether the author has experience in what theyre writing about. Images should be evaluated like any other source, such as journal . Evaluating sources for credibility: Which ones are right for your research? To effectively evaluate online materials, you must be able to do proper speed reading and skimming of content, as well as citing references. They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. But how can you tell the good from the bad? There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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. Clickbait is a type of sensationalized advertisement that seeks to attract viewers through catchy or seemingly unbelievable headlines. This allows you to: A credible source should pass the CRAAP testand follow these guidelines: The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. It's important to evaluate the sources you're considering using, in order to: Ensure that they're credible. If you are researching for an academic paper, then you need to have very credible,. Utilizing rigorous criteria, a panel of reviewers in the same subject area decide whether to accept each submission for publication. This stands for: Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. 2015. For preliminary research and getting to know a new topic, you could use a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. "Reputation And Impact In Academic Careers." Do they benefit financially by promoting a particular view? Make sure the source is written by a trustworthy author and/or institution. But there are many articles published under the guise of scholarly work, by individuals claiming expertise but which are of highly questionable credibility. If the opinion feels one-sided, does the author acknowledge opposing viewpoints? Domain extensions help differentiate the type of websites and the different purposes they serve. For tips on getting a second opinion and evaluating non-academic sources, read on! 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. 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. However, if you find information that you find useful, that information may be cited in a more reputable footnote. What are examples of academic dishonesty? My source is unbiased, and offers multiple perspectives fairly. These will give you a clear idea of the authors intentions, the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions they draw. 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. The last example above uses facts in a bad-faith way to take advantage of the audience's fear. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Begin by reading the Introduction or the PrefaceWhat does the author want to accomplish? Has the author been cited by other scholars? Are the journals policies on copyright and peer review easily available? The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased. Google Scholar also has a function called Cited By that can show you where the author has been cited. Where does the author work? Is the field currently dominated by particular theories or. The ability to navigate and evaluate digital resources is essential to both educators and students. This test is used to evaluate sources of information and determine their credibility. As a rule of thumb, if a source is even passively trying to convince you to purchase something, it may not be credible. While not all large organizations produce unbiased information, more well-known organizations will most likely provide more credible information. This will give you an overview of the source. Use credible research sources to strengthen your arguments. When evaluating academic journals or books published by university presses, its always a good rule of thumb to ensure they are peer-reviewed and published in a reputable journal. Evaluating Sources Read More Diane Shepelwich 3395 26 Criteria for Evaluating Sources Privacy policy. What sources you use depend on the kind of research you are conducting. Privacy policy. The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching. Like most sources, you should try to find out information about the author and cross-check the information in the podcast to see if you can find it elsewhere. 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. 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. Published on Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. Our daily routine and habits determine what we eat but not when we eat. Web. This position and the conclusions the author comes to should be supported by evidence from direct observation or from other sources. 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. Here are five ways to help you identify a reliable source: 1. Has the author of the article published other articles? Google Apps. After you identify the person or organization, you can find out more about them and determine their credibility. 2 . (2022, December 07). When evaluating a personal website, find out what you can about the author and their affiliations. Evaluating source credibility is an important information literacy skill. A credible source is free from bias and backed up with evidence. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. Can it be interpreted differently? December 7, 2022. A credibility checklist is a place to start, but it's engagement with the source that counts. 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. Information can usually be divided into three categories: fact, opinion, and propaganda. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. You should evaluate the credibility of the information by yourself. The Purdue OWL is clearly the only safe choice for student writers. 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 Scholarly sources are written by experts in a particular discipline for other experts in their field. Together, these criteria form what is known as the CRAAP test. 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. Are there links to other sources on the page, and are they trustworthy? 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). The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased. If youre reading a fact-based source, be sure that it doesnt oversimplify the topic. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Use Wikipedia as a starting point that points you toward better sources. Authority. Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples. Do they agree or disagree with other scholars? When you verify the information in one source with information you find in another source, this is called cross-referencing or cross-checking. 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. If so, it should have a clear bibliography that you will also be able to consult for further sources. Citation Styles & ToolsQuick MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides for bibliographies; tools for storing and organizing sources. To help determine if you are looking at credible, quality information whether it be online or in a book or magazine, consider the "Five Ws" Who, What, When, Where and Why. It just indicates that the source may not be reliable. Non-scholarly books might deal with scholarly subject matter sociology, for example, or politics. These sections usually provide information about who the author is and what sort of . Newspapers can be a great way to glean first-hand information about a historical event or situate your research topic within a broader context. Why is it important to use these sources? Different search engines may utilize SEO differently, which also means that, depending on what search engine you use, you might have different results appear first. However, the strategies used for books, articles and websites can also be used for other types . Language & Education: An International Journal 27.2 (2013): 110-128. Examine source in full text (PDF or original print is preferable) for errors, organization, opinions, etc. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). The reliability (source, evidence, truthfulness) of the information. 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). Communication & Mass Media Complete. Research 101: Credibility is contextual Students recognize that credibility may vary by context and information need. It is written by a trustworthy author or organization. The more familiar you become with your topic, the easier it will be for you to evaluate the evidence in your sources. Below are some questions to ask and things to consider as you read through a source. 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. 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. Purpose: Think about the intended purpose of the information source and try to determine its aim. 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. Because clickbait sources exist simply to promote webpages, they are not considered credible sources. Is the source related to your research topic? It is an important component of information literacy. [For academic journals]: My source is peer-reviewed and published in a reputable and established journal. 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. Discuss the information you find with your health care provider before you rely on it. Its possible to find many news articles online, both from digital newspapers and websites that post news articles. Evaluating sources In order to persuade your reader of your position, your writing needs to incorporate evidence and sources. However, despite the many credible digital sources available today, there are still many unreliable sources available on the internet. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. 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