Are there links to other sources on the page, and are they trustworthy? If it hasnt been updated recently, it may not pass the CRAAP test. Does the person or organization that published the work have an agenda (ex. Snell, Julia. 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. Copyright 2022 by The On-Campus Writing Lab& The OWL at Purdueand Purdue University. 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? [For web sources]: My sources URL suggests the domain is trustworthy, e.g. Fact: The Purdue OWL was launched in 1994. Understanding SEO is important because it dictates the initial information youre presented with when using a search engine for your research. 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 stands for: How you evaluate a source using these criteria will depend on your subject and focus. It can be especially challenging to verify the credibility of online sources. A high number of Cited By results can often be a measurement of credibility. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. When writing a research paper, always use and cite credible sources. Evaluating source credibility is an important information literacy skill. Course ReservesLibrary materials reserved for your classes. Ryan, E. It ensures that you collect accurate information to back up the arguments you make and the conclusions you draw. For example, if you are researching cutting-edge scientific technology, a source from 10 years ago will not be sufficiently current. However, if you find information that you find useful, that information may be cited in a more reputable footnote. Perspective. If one or more of your sources proves problematic, you will find yourself deleting sections of your paper and scrambling for new sources at the last second. Key Takeaways. For example, if you are researching a scientific topic, you will want to be sure you have the most up-to-date information. The date something was published can greatly affect the information given. It is important to critically evaluate images you use for research, study, and presentations. Is the author affiliated with a university or another institution? Academics have a long memory; too many transgressions into the land of unreliable sources, and youll be a marked writer with a marred reputation. by Because of the .org domain extension, it appears more credible. Because clickbait sources exist simply to promote webpages, they are not considered credible sources. The more questions you can answer "yes", the more likely the Web site is one of quality. What are possible consequences of not evaluating sources? Some personal websites exist solely to spread propaganda or other biased information. For a source to be considered credible it must meet five main obligations: Currency, Relevance . It is an important component of information literacy. Most sites that use clickbait use it to simply gain clicks on their site. The information should be up to date and current. How does the author situate their argument in the field? Check for a list of references or other citations that look as if they will lead you to related material that would be good sources. Published on Non-scholarly books might deal with scholarly subject matter sociology, for example, or politics. 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. Are they appropriate for your needs? It states: Users should be aware that not all articles are of encyclopedic quality from the start. 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. Use this checklist to determine if an article is credible or not: George, T. Are the journals policies on copyright and peer review easily available? Objective language sticks to the facts, but emotional language relies on garnering an emotional response from the reader. What theories, methods, or models do they use? 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. Eoghan Ryan. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. 4) Coverage. To evaluate internet sources: Can it be interpreted differently? (2022, December 07). Does the information come from an author or organization that has authority to speak on your topic? There are a lot of sources out there, and it can be hard to tell whats credible and what isnt at first glance. If you have never heard of the source, you probably should do some research to learn about it. Its important to understand the types of sources and how you should use them in your field of research. If you use one of these in your research, it is probably a primary source. 4.6. The purpose of my source is to educate or inform, not to sell a product or push a particular opinion. There are six (6) criteria that should be applied when evaluating any Web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance. Communication & Mass Media Complete. What are examples of academic dishonesty? CRAAP test One of the best ways to evaluate source credibility is the CRAAP test. Can the information you found be verified elsewhere, even via a simple Google search? For further guidance, Kaneisha Gaston, Teaching and Undergraduate Services Librarian in Butler Library, can help you evaluate online sources forcredibility. Is there an About Us page, or a way to contact the author or organization if you need clarification on a claim they have made? The information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge. Browse through the Table of Contents and the Index. (2022, December 07). It's important to evaluate the sources you're considering using, in order to: Ensure that they're credible. 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. 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. My source is relevant to my research topic. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. Paper Research Paper Sources for a Research Paper. There are many different types of sources, which can be divided into three categories: primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. Finding the right sources for your specific topic is crucial for writing a scholarly, trustworthy dissertation, term paper, or even a program note. The CRAAP test is a catchy acronym that will help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are thinking about using. How can I tell which sources are relevant to my research? 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. Likewise, if you are searching for information about what restaurant to go to tonight, it's important to use current information. 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. Not all sources are created equal - especially when it comes to advanced research. A well-known strategy for testing the quality of sources is the CRAAP test. Finally, look at the date of publication to make sure the information is still valid. Columbia University in the City of New York. There are several factors that contribute to a source's credibility. If the source appears to represent an opinion, does the author offer legitimate reasons for adopting that stance? It can be very unclear (often by design!) Sometimes, the currency of the source is very important. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Are there any specific texts or scholars that have greatly influenced the field? Do you recognize the source? political)? It benefits students and researchers who need to evaluate sources for academic purposes. However, the .edu domain extension is reserved only for educational institutions, and the .gov domain extension is only used by governmental institutions. PsycINFO. The last example above uses facts in a bad-faith way to take advantage of the audience's fear. Privacy policy. Google Scholar also has a function called Cited By that can show you where the author has been cited. Being able to evaluate the credibility of information is an important skill used in school, work, and day-to-day life. 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. When doing research, you will use a variety of sources such as books, newspaper articles, magazines or journals, and websites. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. How does the website look and feel? Is the intended audience a scholarly one? Both of these individuals have blue checks next to their Twitter handles, which means the accounts are verified. Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. Websites that end in .com and .org are sometimes credible, but sometimes not. As you continue to encounter more sources, evaluating them for credibility will become easier. 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. If a bibliographic citation seems promising, its a good idea to spend a bit more time with the source before you determine its credibility. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When evaluating a personal website, find out what you can about the author and their affiliations. How can you tell if a source is credible? Audience. A credible source is free from bias and backed up with evidence. You may have found good information, but your provider can tell you whether it's good for you. However, despite the many credible digital sources available today, there are still many unreliable sources available on the internet. Most clickbait articles want to shock the reader, so be aware of words like, Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students. Always make sure to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism. Retrieved March 1, 2023, If so, it should have a clear bibliography that you will also be able to consult for further sources. Of course, there is no such link. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. However, you might not want to quote a tweet by someone with an anonymous name and a Twitter handle such as @iluvscience321. Use credible research sources to strengthen your arguments. This means that the sources you reference need to be credible and authoritative. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, you can use preliminary evaluation to determine which sources might be relevant. Because so much information is now available online, its important to know how to navigate digital sources versus print sources. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources. They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. As a rule of thumb, if a source is even passively trying to convince you to purchase something, it may not be credible. Social media is simply defined as any type of digital space that allows users to create content and share it with others in a social setting. What is the difference between a scholarly and a popular source? As such, you should be more cautious with it. Advocacy or non-profit organizations end in .org. If at all possible, look for that same information from a peer-reviewed source, rather than a professors personal .edu source. Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. How can you tell if a source is primary or secondary? Students understand the importance of critically assessing a source's credibility. 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. 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. Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it to other sources. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. While a scientific study showed that Wikipedia is as accurate as professionally generated encyclopedias. Like YouTube videos, podcasts can be valuable resources if used correctly. Assess the quality of their arguments. Your resources need to be recent enough for your topic. PDF. Secondary sources are articles that help people to understand their research topics. Use Wikipedia as a starting point that points you toward better sources. You should evaluate the credibility of the information by yourself. Evaluating Your Sources. Determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth, Increase the quality of the information you consume. Legitimate OERs can be a great resource. Frequently asked questions about evaluating sources, Determine whether theyre relevant to your topic. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Though this sort of vandalism is rare, it is not unheard of. The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. 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. Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias. What authority does the author have? Your assignment might have parameters on format and medium, but . Transcript Need Help? CRAAP test Currency The timeliness of the information. Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples. The reliability (source, evidence, truthfulness) of the information. Do. Evaluating InformationLearn how to choose the best and most reliable information that meets your research needs. Are they an innovator, or a follower and promoter of the status quo? As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, its important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Begin by reading the Introduction or the PrefaceWhat does the author want to accomplish? We are constantly surrounded by information, and it is not always easy to know which sources to trust. 2 Mar. 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. 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. For tips on getting a second opinion and evaluating non-academic sources, read on! How do you evaluate the source of information? Only then will an article be published in a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal. 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. 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 . 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. This test is used to evaluate sources of information and determine their credibility. 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. Question everything, books, articles, and websites can all be unreliable sources. 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. A fact is something that is known to be true. There are no glaring grammatical or orthographic errors. 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. To evaluate the credibility of a source, first look at its mode of publication. Do they have credible work or study experience? In order for a source to be included in a database, it usually must go through a screening process that requires individuals to verify the information in the text. Do the same for any other websites that dont meet the high standard for academic integrity. Evaluating Sources for Credibility What does it mean for a source to be credible? Anyone can write anything they want on the Internet. You will likely use a combination of the three types over the course of your research process. Reliability can be estimated by comparing different versions of the same measurement. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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. As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. Evaluating the Credibility of Your Sources Remember, your use of sources is a means of supporting the argument you make. Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations How you evaluate the relevance of a source will depend on your topic, and on where you are in the research process. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Evaluating the credibility of a source is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether you should use it in your research. [For web sources]: The layout of my source is professional and recently updated. Always seek your second opinion ahead of the deadline for your 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. As you examine each source, it is important to evaluate each source to determine the quality of the information provided within it. Its important to not necessarily evaluate an online source simply based on its domain extension. By using our site, you agree to our. Relevance: Refers to the degree to which the information is related . Possessing these skills will give you the ability to objectively and successfully critique online materials. Key points Sources come in many forms. Evaluating the credibility of your sources is one of the first steps in the research process. Credible sources are high quality, evidence-based, reliable, and trustworthy. An article that has been peer-reviewed is credible, but it still might . Purdue OWL is a registered trademark. Blogs can range in subject, from seasonal fashion tips to discussing every one of Emily Dickinsons poems. Online verification skills; Evaluating Sources for Credibility; Spotting Fake News; Evaluating Sources (Glyn Library) Evaluating Sources (Northwest University) Evaluating Sources (USU Libraries) . They often do not have single authors or publication dates, and their motivation can be more difficult to ascertain. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth. Anne Burke Associate Head, Learning Spaces & Services Video added on June 1, 2015 Credits Anne Burke: Project Lead, Storyboards Lisa Becksford: Script, Editing "Reputation And Impact In Academic Careers." All rights reserved. Does the information come from an author or organization that has authority to speak on your topic? You should carefully read the source to determine this. These texts will have scholarly credibility. 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. However, its up to you to ensure the information they provide is reliable and accurate. Web. For example, if you are researching about a time-sensitive topic such as a current event, then it's important to find sources that have been published recently. They are usually part of a series or follow a theme. 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). Name recognition is often the first thing you consider to determine reliability. Try out the Dependability Checklist. 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. You need to make sure the source is accurate and credible. It can also involve the selective reporting of true information in order to deceive an audience. My source is recent enough to contain up-to-date information on my topic. 3) Currency. It is written by a trustworthy author or organization. This Common Core aligned teaching packet is appropriate . The information should be up-to-date and current. 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). Has the author been cited by other scholars? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid368290-v4-728px-Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"