LibGuides: Research 101: Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Source Strength

Determining the strength of a source depends a great deal on your question. What would you like to know, and what kind of source would provide that information?

If you are looking for or would like to know more about the history and interpretation of the Bayeux Tapestry, you might want to find a peer-reviewed article on that topic.
However, you might also have a question like, how is the occupy movement depicted in the media? For that question, you might want to find articles from major newspapers or national magazines.

The strength of a source also might have to do with credibility. How can you be sure that the source you are reading is accurate or trustworthy? There is no magic bullet here, but some things to consider include:

What organization, institution, business, nonprofit or individual supports or funds this source?
Is there any identifiable bias in the source? Is this bias related to the organization, etc., that supports it?
Who is the author? Are they identified and do they provide contact information?
Is the source dated clearly and accurately? This is especially important for web sources.

CRAAP Test is a method to help you evaluate the credibility, reliability and strength of your source.

Currency: the timeliness of the information	When was the information published or posted? Has the information been revised or updated? Does your topic require current, up-to-date information? Or will older, more historical sources work?
Relevancy: the importance of the information for your needs	Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at the appropriate level? Have you looked at a variety of sources? Would you be comfortable using this source in a research paper?
Authority: the source of the information	Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given? What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations? What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic? Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address? Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content	Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed or refereed? Can you verify any of the information from another source or from personal knowledge? Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion? Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
Purpose: the reason the information exits	What is the purpose of the information? To inform? To teach? To entertain or persuade? To mislead? Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? Is the information fact or opinion? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

STOP

Ask yourself: what do you know about the information? Do you trust the source?
If the answer is no, get away from the source and search the information or claims.
If the answer is yes, it's still always good to double-check the information and claims!

INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE

Know the purpose of your source
Who created it? Look at the author, the publication, and the source type
Get new tabs opens and do a simple Google search to find background information about the source

FIND TRUSTED COVERAGE

Verify, verify, verify
Double-check the information with a trusted source (fact-checkers, Wikipedia, etc.)

TRACE THE SOURCE

Trace claims, quotes, and media back to the original context or source
Seeing the information in the original context can help you determine the accuracy of the claims

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