There are a number of criteria to consider when evaluating whether or not a source is reliable and appropriate to use as evidence. Answering the following questions can help you determine whether or not a source is reliable.
- Source Type
- What type of source is this (e.g., article from a journal, magazine, newspaper, website)?
- Currency
- Does your topic require current information?
- When was the source published? Is it current for your topic?
- If it is a website, when was it last updated?
- If your source cites any other sources, are they recent as well?
- Author/sponsorship
- What are the author's credentials or background in this area?
- Has the author written other things on the same topic?
- Does the author OR publisher have financial interest in the topic?
- Does the author's background/publisher information make the source more or less credible?
- Bias
- Is the information primarily fact or opinion?
- Does the author present multiple sides (pros & cons) of the issue?
- Is the information supported by research?
- Are there citations?
- Has the author provided sufficient evidence?
- Based on your response to the above questions, do you think your source is highly biased or minimally biased?
- Relevancy
- How do you plan to use this source?
- Examples...
- To support a particular point you are making?
- To explain why your solution is the best option?
- To explain how your solution works?
Based on your answers to the questions above, do you think this source is reliable?
