Language & Education: An International Journal 27.2 (2013): 110-128. Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars. 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. Propaganda: Some students have gone on to lives of crime after using sites that compete with the Purdue OWL. 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. Scholarly books will provide an extensive list of references to bolster their academic credibility, whereas non-scholarly books often make claims without any credible referential support. It is written by a trustworthy author or organization. Sometimes, citing a scholar who goes against the tide of established thinking provides you with ammunition for a compelling devils advocate argument. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. You will likely use a combination of the three types over the course of your research process. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Is the language objective or emotional? Evaluating sources for credibility: Which ones are right for your research? As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, you can use preliminary evaluation to determine which sources might be relevant. However, the deeper you get into your topic, the more comprehensive your research will need to be. Has the author been cited by other scholars? 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. However, the strategies used for books, articles and websites can also be used for other types . Both of these individuals have blue checks next to their Twitter handles, which means the accounts are verified. How do you evaluate the credibility of a source? Is it a respected publication? Are your sources credible? 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). 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. from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/evaluating-sources/. Purpose: Think about the intended purpose of the information source and try to determine its aim. As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, its important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Watch this video to learn how to choose the most reliab. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. I have checked that it is supported by evidence and/or verifiable elsewhere. By using an algorithm, SEO works by locating keywords and sorting information for relevancy and accuracy. As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. 4) Coverage. Determining a websites credibility can be especially confusing for websites with a .org extension that appear to have a governmental or educational affiliation. Evaluating Your Sources. There are several factors that contribute to a source's credibility. There are two key steps: Ask questions before you trust what you read or hear. political)? "Dialect, Interaction And Class Positioning At School: From Deficit To Difference To Repertoire." By using our site, you agree to our. What are the top three things that indicate that my source is credible? Is the field currently dominated by particular theories or. A fact is something that is known to be true. Browse through the Table of Contents and the Index. Is your topic covered in enough depth to be helpful? 4.6. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth. Are you directly analyzing the source itself (primary), or only using it for background information (secondary). How can you tell if a source is primary or secondary? June 2, 2022 Relevance: Refers to the degree to which the information is related . Teen Tech University. letters, interviews). How does the author situate their argument in the field? What theories, methods, or models do they use? The handout below can be downloaded to help walk through the process. The more familiar you become with your topic, the easier it will be for you to evaluate the evidence in your sources. Don't dismiss it completely; Gregor Mendel's work was cited only three times, criticized, and ignored for 35 years before his discoveries in genetics were recognized in the field of science. Credible sources are high quality, evidence-based, reliable, and trustworthy. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. 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. First, what are the qualifications of the author? The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching. Evaluation of a source's credibility is a complex process that requires critical thinking and reading. Verify the information you already know against the information found in the source. In others, texts can continue to be considered valuable for longer. However, if you find information that you find useful, that information may be cited in a more reputable footnote. Is the author an expert in their field? Determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth, Increase the quality of the information you consume. Last modified on Friday, August 12, 2008 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. It is written by a trustworthy author or organization. At the bottom of most Wikipedia pages, you can find a list of sources that will take you to other pages (see image below). To evaluate a source, ask yourself a series of questions that address Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (aka CRAAP questions!). 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. Do the same for any other websites that dont meet the high standard for academic integrity. Both National Geographicand TEDuse .com domain extension, despite the fact that theyre large organizations. 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. 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. If you have never heard of the source, you probably should do some research to learn about it. Does it look professional to you? Was the source created by someone directly involved in the events youre studying (primary), or by another researcher (secondary)? With so much advertising, controversy, and blogging going on, how do you sift through the chaff and cut to the chase? This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. 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. (2022, December 07). What else has the author written? My source is unbiased, and offers multiple perspectives fairly. Academic dishonesty can be intentional or unintentional, ranging from something as simple as claiming to have read something you didnt to copying your neighbors answers on an exam. Example of just one fallacious quotation that can be found online. How do you know that your sources are of value? Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. Here are five ways to help you identify a reliable source: 1. Ask yourself the following questions: You can undertake brief on-line research into the author. However, if you are researching the Peloponnesian War, a source from 200 years ago would be reasonable to refer to. Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review. A few of the most common social media platforms are Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Instagram. 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. Together, these criteria form what is known as the CRAAP test. Third, how current is the source? Blogs can range in subject, from seasonal fashion tips to discussing every one of Emily Dickinsons poems. There are six (6) criteria that should be applied when evaluating any Web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance. This Common Core aligned teaching packet is appropriate . Evaluating a source's credibility Evaluating the credibility of a source is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether you should use it in your research. Its possible to find many news articles online, both from digital newspapers and websites that post news articles. Consider the tone, style, vocabulary, level of information, and assumptions the author makes about the reader. 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. Any resourceprint, human, or electronicused to support your research topic must be evaluated for its credibility and reliability. Citation Styles & ToolsQuick MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides for bibliographies; tools for storing and organizing sources. Is the source twenty years out of date? Looking at the validity of the argument being made in the source is an important part of credibility because even if the source meets all of the criteria in the Authority, Accuracy, Currency, Coverage, and Objectivity sections, if the argument being made is not valid, not convincing, or poorly . Could the evidence be used to draw other conclusions? Most of the sources you use in your assessments should be credible and academic, such as peer reviewed journals and scholarly texts. Are they appropriate for your needs? 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. Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it to other sources. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 849,783 times. [For academic journals]: My source is peer-reviewed and published in a reputable and established journal. Do they have credible work or study experience? Podcasts are becoming a much more popular digital medium today. It just indicates that the source may not be reliable. Snell, Julia. If a bibliographic citation seems promising, it's a good idea to spend a bit more time with the source before you determine its credibility. Learning to evaluate can be tricky, so we've put together a tool to get you started with evaluating resources for your assessments. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. 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 It can also involve the selective reporting of true information in order to deceive an audience. "Reputation And Impact In Academic Careers." The information should be up to date and current. The Big 5 Criteria can help you evaluate your sources for credibility: Currency: Check the publication date and determine whether it is sufficiently current for your topic. If the material does not measure up to expected standards of scholarly work, it may still be of use to you. Timeliness. Academics have a long memory; too many transgressions into the land of unreliable sources, and youll be a marked writer with a marred reputation. It can take just one instance of you sharing inaccurate information for people to start questioning your credibility. 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. This is not to say that less-established scholars work is not credible. Always make sure to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism. Sometimes simply typing an authors name into a search engine will give you an initial springboard for information. Evaluate sources of information by examining them for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage. Podcasts are essentially audio files that can be streamed on a computer or mobile device, like portable radio. Backlinks to other sources are up-to-date and not broken. In the case of an anonymous author, you can check who published the website with, Be conscious of wording that indicates judgment. Domain extensions help differentiate the type of websites and the different purposes they serve. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Google Scholar is a search engine for academic sources. 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. It benefits students and researchers who need to evaluate sources for academic purposes. While faculty at a university are reputable, this information does not go through the peer-review process discussed earlier. These sites may include lecture materials and interpretation of sources. As you dig deeper into your scholarly research, books and academic journals are usually your best bet. Most clickbait articles want to shock the reader, so be aware of words like, Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students. However, its up to you to ensure the information they provide is reliable and accurate. Begin by reading the Introduction or the PrefaceWhat does the author want to accomplish? How do you evaluate the source of information? If the cited source meets the other standards for credibility, read that source and cite it. 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. How do you determine credibility of evidence? Perspective. They often do not have single authors or publication dates, and their motivation can be more difficult to ascertain. 2) Authority. It ensures that you collect accurate information to back up the arguments you make and the conclusions you draw. Because anyone can produce a podcast, be aware that biased podcasts exist, and some might be used as propaganda. However, you might not want to quote a tweet by someone with an anonymous name and a Twitter handle such as @iluvscience321. These sections usually provide information about who the author is and what sort of . Consult the index for key terms or the names of important scholars. When you verify the information in one source with information you find in another source, this is called cross-referencing or cross-checking. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Most sources will use a mix of primary and secondary sources to form an argument. Newspapers and magazines. This panel of experts determines whether or not the sources used in the article were credible, whether the methodologies used in studies are scientifically sound, and render a professional opinion as to whether or not an article meets the academic standard of integrity. Has this author been cited as a source by other scholars or experts in the field? When doing research, you will use a variety of sources such as books, newspaper articles, magazines or journals, and websites. Paper Research Paper Sources for a Research Paper. Fact: The Purdue OWL was launched in 1994. Most clickbait articles want to shock the reader, so be aware of words like surprising, alarming, and shockingin titles. Useful approaches include the CRAAP test and lateral reading. Last Updated: December 13, 2022 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. For example, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will provide only that information which supports their cause, whereas the U.S. When you are determining the credibility of the author of a book, you will first check the book in the following places: Author's note (if there is one), Foreword and/or Introduction (if there is one), and the About the Author (often found on the back cover). What Are Credible Sources & How to Spot Them | Examples. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. It is more appropriate to compare something to an objective standard than to label it with words that represent abstract concepts for example, "these and other illegal acts" is preferable to "these and other despicable acts". Language & Education: An International Journal 27.2 (2013): 110-128. 2 . Evaluating the credibility of a source is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether you should use it in your research. Check for contact information and the credentials of the author. 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. If you cannot find that information corroborated in scholarly sources, thats a red flag that the information is not trustworthy, and you should not include it in your argument. A credible source is free from bias and backed up with evidence. These will give you a clear idea of the authors intentions, the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions they draw. Assess the quality of their arguments. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. (74) $3.99. This is especially important when youre surveying a large number of sources (e.g., in a literature review or systematic review). Who are the intended readers and what is the publication's purpose? Authority. If a bibliographic citation seems promising, its a good idea to spend a bit more time with the source before you determine its credibility. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Revised on {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid368290-v4-728px-Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"