Evaluating Sources

How can you tell if a source is a reliable source for your research? The very first step in the process is asking your instructor what they consider to be a scholarly source. Almost every instructor will have a different definition of what they consider to be scholarly. After you have crossed that bridge, consider the following when evaluating sources.

Is the information relevant to your research?

Is the information sufficiently up to date? This is another question to ask your instructor. Different areas have different timeframes for what they consider relevant. For example, in most allied health areas the timeframe for relevancy is no more than three years old. For Web sites check to see when the site was last updated. The last date updated is usually on the bottom of the home page.

Do you detect a particular bias or prejudice in the author's words? This is not necessarily bad. Just make sure you balance it with another source that is biased to the other side of the issue.

Who is the author? Check for a blurb and see if it states the author's qualifications. Which would you rather use a manual to fix your car that is written by a mechanic or one by a librarian that drives cars daily? Also look for authors that are well known in the field. If the source is a Web site you may have to dig through Web pages to find the author or source of the site.

When dealing with Web sites be aware of your domain names. .GOV sites are fairly reliable as are .EDU sites. Be sure to really examine .COM and .ORG sites, especially for bias.

Check to see if the publisher is well known in the field of study or at least a well known reputable publisher.

Can you understand what you are reading in the source? The purpose of research is to gather sources and interpret the results of your research to others. If you are unable to understand what you are reading, how you you interpret it for other people?

Is the information that is covered in the source missing some information?

Is the information used primary or secondary sources? Primary sources are those items that are directly from the sources, such as interviews, letters, and diaries. Secondary sources are interpretations of primary sources. It is always better to use primary sources.

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